Obituary of Phyllis S. Alexander

Phyllis S. Alexander, 95, formerly of Elizabeth Street, Amsterdam, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening at the Rome Hospital in Rome, NY. She was born in Amsterdam on July 9, 1913, the daughter of the late Michael and Karoline Murauskas Degutis. Educated locally, Phyllis lived in Amsterdam for most of her life until moving to Camden, NY in 1999 to be near her family. She worked for Montco as an inspector for many years and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Church. She also was a member of Club 60 at St. Mary's Hospital and the former American Lithuanian Club Auxiliary. Even after leaving Amsterdam, Phyllis enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends locally and was very keen up until the end. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandma and sister. On October 15, 1933, she was united in marriage to Walter Alexander who passed away in 1986. She also lost her daughter, Arlene Engel and her brother Walter Degutis. Her loving family includes her daughter, Carolyn and her husband William Angell of Camden, NY; her sister; Constance "Connie" Peck McKendry of Edmonds, Wash.; her son in law; Walter Engel of Scotia; her grandchildren; Debbie Collins and her husband Mark of Camden, NY, Kristine Contento and her husband Jason of Bloomfield, NJ, William Angell and his wife Jennifer of Painted Post, NY , Tom Angell and his girlfriend, Venessa Czop of Sun City, AZ, Robert Engel and wife Vivian of West Charlton, and Douglas Engel of Galway, NY. Phyllis adored her great-grandchildren and was very thankful she lived to see them. They include: Emily Collins, Jennifer and Amy Engel, Kai and Madison Contento. Her extended family includes, nieces, nephews and cousins as well as a dear friend, Frank Guerts, who has been her pen-pal from the Netherlands for 64 years. Services are Tuesday Dec. 23 rd at 8:30 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed by the Funeral Mass which take place at 9:30 am at St. Casimir's Church, 260 East Main Street. Fr. David Mickiewicz, celebrant. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in her name to St. Casimir's Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home office.