Phyllis Sanborn

She was born October 29, 1954 in Pekin to Louis A. and Winifred (Peirce) Sanborn. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Marcia Sanborn.

Surviving are two sisters, Alice Brown of Franklin, Wisconsin and Nanci Malcolm of Washington; two brothers, Stephen (Nancy) Sanborn of Madison, Wisconsin and David (Sally) Sanborn of Green Valley; nieces and nephews, Matthew Sanborn, Jeanne (Paul) Johnson, Christy (Colin) Grassman, Mark (Keri) Sanborn, Jill Alexander, Michael (Alex) Sanborn, Gene Brown, Marcia (Scott) Hall, Wendy (Nick) Uphoff and Nick (Becca) Malcolm and several great-nieces and nephews.

Phyllis received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and a Master’s Degree in History from Illinois State University in Normal. Her initial job after college graduation was working as an archivist at the newly-created Dirksen Center in Pekin. Phyllis had worked as a computer programmer for Morton Buildings in Morton for 20 years.

She had a deep love for animals, reading, going to river to watch birds and playing board games. She was a collector of many things, enjoyed music, photography, traveling and all things Disney, Star Wars and Narnia. Phyllis was a movie buff and critic and had a gift of knowledge, even trying out for Jeopardy.

Phyllis was a longtime member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin.

Her memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin. Father Jonathan Butcher will officiate. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 343 Buena Vista Avenue, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com