Phyllis Jean Howard, 79, Rochester was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at her home at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, fighting a battle with cancer.

On Sept. 26, 1937, in Akron, Phyllis Jean Swanson was born. She was the cherished daughter of Carl and Helen Woolley Swanson. Growing up she shared her childhood with a sister Tish. With great Zebra pride, she graduated with the Rochester High School class of 1955.

Later that year in Rochester, on July 1, 1955, Phyllis married the love of her life Mr. Paul Howard. Over the years they became best friends while sharing over 61 years of life’s adventures. From their union came four wonderful children.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren with another expected soon.

Dedicated to Rochester’s CVS, Phyllis served at the store for more than four decades. Many of those years in a supervisory capacity. She was always there for her customers, with a warm and friendly smile ready to lend a helping hand or offer assistance with locating products.

With an appetite for adventure, Phyllis loved exploring many destinations.  In the early years she and Paul took the family camping. Their favorite  campsite was Winamac State Park. There were fishing trips with family to Wisconsin and Las Vegas vacations with Paula. A sister excursion with Tish took the ladies across the Pacific to explore beautiful Hawaii.

As the matriarch of the Howard family, Granny Phyllis was proud to oversee four generations. She looked forward to the grandchildren’s visits and celebrating birthdays and the holidays. Gramps Paul and Granny Phyllis were delighted and so proud to follow the grandchildren and more recently the great-grandchildren’s athletic activities and school concerts. She is best remembered for her hot steaming noodles accompanied by either beef or chicken.

With a love for a new look, trendy hairstyles and manicure design, Phyllis relied on granddaughter Hollie to keep her on the cutting edge of style. Whether it was fresh highlights and new style or glitter polish she enjoyed the rave reviews.

Phyllis is lovingly remember by her beloved husband Paul; a daughter, Paula Scholl and husband Kent of Warsaw;  three sons: Brad Howard and wife Laura of Auburndale, Fla.; Jeff Howard and wife Kelly, Rochester; Andy Howard and companion Susan Mahedy of Bradenton, Fla.; her mother, Helen Swanson, of Rochester; eight grandchildren: J.D. Howard and wife Dawn, Kendra Howard and companion David Andrews Jr., Shelby Howard and companion Pat Duncan, Nicole Hines and husband Justin, Hollie Prater and husband Bob, Lane Waltz, Ryann Waltz and companion Trenton Hairrell, and Sara Pressley and husband Kevin; 13 great-grandchildren with a new addition on the way; a sister, Tish Blackburn of Rochester; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding her in death was a daughter Selena Jo Howard, and her father Carl.

Pastor Chris Beall will officiate services. Interment will be in the Athens Hoover Cemetery.