VERSAILLES — Phyllis Ann (Annie) Shively exited stage left on March 16, 2016. “Well behaved women seldom make History” well she may not make it into history books (not for the lack of trying as the arresting officers in Spain can tell you…) but she made her way into all our hearts.
Phyllis Ann was born at Piqua Memorial Hospital on Oct. 15, 1935.
She grew up in and attended Bradford Schools graduating from Bradford High School in 1953.
After high school, she went on to work at Hobart before attending Miami University (B.A.) and Wright State University (M.A.), both in education. In true Phyllis fashion she completed the course work for her PhD because she loved the classes, not for those three little letters. Phyllis Ann (Annie) was honored many times including Issabella of the year, Versailles Citizen of the Year and induction into the Society of Saint Simeon and Saint Anna.
She was active in many theatrical productions where she put her sharp wit and considerable charm to use. Phyllis Ann (Annie) was a member of St. James Episcopal church in Piqua. She volunteered her spare time to the Versailles and Piqua food pantries as well as a host of civic organizations she deemed worthy of her many talents. Phyllis dedicated 35 years to teaching kindergarten in the Versailles schools. She was an inspiring teacher treasured by her former students, remembered fondly for having a bathtub with blankets in it in her class room to encourage a love of reading anywhere any time.
Phyllis Ann’s love of brightly printed clothes, her strong opinions (we must add “always right”), dedication to and love of children and cats, her fighting spirit, positive outlook and no nonsense approach to life (unless she thought the nonsense would be fun or funny) inspired love and admiration (and sometimes dismay) in all those she came in contact with.
Phyllis Ann was preceded in death by her parents, George and Janette Shively, all grandparents and many beloved cats.
She is survived by her minions Charlotte Collins Reed and Dawn Pullman and their families (Don, Slocomb and Leslie, and Caldwell Reed and David, Alexander and Samantha Pullman) along with a host of adoring friends (whom she like to refer to as her “subjects”) who will miss this little spit fire. A (Fairy) God Mother to many and a God Send to all.
Phyllis’s final act of selfless giving was to donate her body to Wright State School of Medicine to further the learning of many more students. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Piqua on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Memorial contributions in Phyllis’s name may be made to St.James, or your local food pantry or animal shelter. Phyllis would love for you to raise a glass of scotch and toast her memory. The minions (Charlotte and Dawn) would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Garbry Ridge in Piqua for the tenderness and dignity with which they treated Phyllis, and for their compassion and empathy shown to them in Phyllis’s final days.
