Phyllis Ann Reed

Phyllis was born on November 21st, 1943 to Phillip Santillo and Rose Vigliotti Santillo of New Haven, Connecticut. After graduating Magna Cum Lade from Albertus Magnus, she went on to secure a job with the government negotiating contracts for the B3 Bomber. There on the other side of the negotiating table, she met her late husband, Darrell Reed, and one would say that they never stopped negotiating until Darrell’s passing in 2015.

Darrell had three children from a previous marriage, Robert, Timothy, and Kimberly Reed that Phyllis loved as if they were her own. Darrell and Phyllis had one child together, Melissa Reed, who would go on to have all eight of their grandchildren. Phyllis’ eldest grandson, Alan Murphy, blessed her with 2 adorable great grandchildren before her passing.

Although she initially went to school to become a teacher, it wasn’t until 2006, that her impact on children would come to fruition. Phyllis and her and her late husband, Darrell, alongside their daughter, Melissa, opened Carlsbad Country Day School, a private school where children could learn two languages, eat healthy home cooked meals, learn to read and take ballet, all while their parents were at work. She designed the school top to bottom. In recent years, she spent most of her life on the sidelines of Carlsbad football games, City SC soccer fields, CCDS children’s concerts, and made sure she was everywhere her grandchildren seemed to be. Phyllis was everyone’s biggest cheerleader.

In her free time she loved to create flower arrangements. She was a master card player, frequently beating anyone who dared to play with her. When there was ever a school project to be done, Phyllis would volunteer her remarkable drawing techniques. She loved musical theater, and prided herself on the fact that she still attended all the musical plays at the San Diego Civic Center.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Darrell Reed, her sister Annette Rizzolo, her sister, Rosemary Santillo, her daughter, Kimberly Reed and her son in law, John Cavaluzzi. She is survived by her brother, Michael Santillo, her brother-in-law, David Reed and sisters-in-laws Pamala Santillo and Julie Rucker. Phyllis is also survived by her sons, Robert Reed, Timothy Reed, sons-in-laws Daniel Murphy & Bryan Crail, and her daughter Melissa Reed. She will always be remembered by her grandchildren Alan, Jennifer, Julian, Darrell, Cassius, Analeigha, Vivienne, John, Elysia, her 2 great grandchildren, Zachary and Ekeler and her God children Jon Santillo and Suzanne Rucker.

Phyllis Reed was loved by all who were lucky enough to know her. She will forever be in our hearts.