Phyllis McGuinn

Phyllis McGuinn (Phyllis Carmen Perrini) passed away peacefully at home with her family on November 19, 2023. She was born in Queens, New York on September 14, 1934. Growing up in New York City, she had a love of baseball from a very young age. She would often share memories of going to games with her father to watch the Yankees and Dodgers. Her love of the game spanned a lifetime from being there when Jackie Robinson played his first game with the Dodgers to rooting for the Braves and the Rays in her final years. Phyllis attended William and Mary college starting in 1953. It was there that she met the love of her life, Kerry. He was drafted in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Eustis near Williamsburg when their paths first crossed. They married in 1956 and had an enduring love for nearly seven decades. Up until the day she passed her biggest concern was always to look out for Kerry, as did he for her.

Phyllis taught English and French at schools in Raleigh and Atlanta. After she retired from teaching, she ran an antique business in Atlanta with her dear friend, Joan. In her later years, she and Kerry moved to Tampa in order to be close to family. Phyllis had a lasting impact on so many people in a special way. Her friends and family in New York, Atlanta, Tampa, and elsewhere fondly remember Phyllis’ delivery of her home-cooked Italian food and baked goodies, including her famous Christmas cookies. Phyllis was fond of Frank Sinatra, Tuscan art and culture, the Sistine Chapel and Gucci, but she was always quick to point out that this affinity had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that these are all Italian. She had many hobbies, including playing tennis with ALTA in Atlanta, gardening, shopping and cooking. Her meatballs, cookies and chicken cutlets were legend. She cherished gathering family together every Sunday for dinner.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 67 years Kerry Chadwick McGuinn (Tampa), daughter Marguerite "Maggie" (Bill) Carson (Tampa), son Kerry "Woody" Chadwick McGuinn, Jr. (Tampa), sister Marguerite Harvey (Manhasset, NY), brother Joseph J. "Juno" Perrini (Franklin Square, NY), brother Leonard "Shuko" or "Pudgy" Perrini (Little Neck, NY), and grandchildren William George (Britt) Carson, III (San Diego, CA), Kerry Lynn Carson (Tampa), and Paige LeighAnn McGuinn (Tampa). She was predeceased by her father Joseph J. Perrini (Queens Village, NY), mother Lucille Perrini (Queens Village, NY), and her beloved niece Marissa Harvey (Port Washington, NY). Phyllis' family would like to thank everyone who showed great support to her over the past few years. This is especially true for Dr. Bill and all of the other doctors, nurses, caretakers and family who supported Phyllis in her time of need.

A separate notice will be published once the date and time of a service for Phyllis is announced.