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Phyllis Cleveland Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis Cleveland
Charles Asche
September 30, 2012
Fortunate and fun describe everything I remember about my dear 6th grade (1966) teacher Phyllis Cleveland . Some of us had her when she was Miss Cohn ( yes - we were still using that now-forbidden title back then .) Phyllis and Mrs. Penn were linked as teachers and friends , and Mrs. Penn lived right down the street from us . Her teaching was riddled with enthusiasm , energy and an unyielding discipline . I remember once when she was determined that we should all learn ALL the other verses of the Star Spangled Banner - and we did !!!I also have a vivid memory of a 6th grade spelling bee " spell-off " in which the two highest scoring competitors had a spell-off in front of the entire sixth grade classes ( UGH !!!)- in our dear " CAFETORIUM " at Blue Lakes . I missed my word - " pageant " and Phyllis was so kind to come up to me afterwards and tell me how proud she was of me .
She didn't have much to be worried about - both of the students in the spell-off were HERS !!!!
Fortunate: in later years she also moved onto our block and became a fixture . There are still four families on the block who are original owners from 1959 . How fortunate I was to be able to see my sixth grade teacher every time I went back to Miami for Christmas break or summers .
Then my niece Christina also had her for second grade and I would see her whenever I was home and walked her to school or picked her up .
Phyllis always told us that the Asche family was a class act ( she apparently altered very kindly how mischievous and ill-behaved some of us boys were in her class .)
She was always interested in what I was doing career-wise and so often chatted with me as I was pruning trees and bushes and working out in my parent's yard . She always joked that whenever there was a trash pile out in front she knew I was home .
She loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest . She accepted her ultimate illness with courage and a fighting spirit . Not surprising .
A great and delightful lady who left those who were fortunate to have her as a teacher or friend with a much brighter outlook because of her .
One door has closed but many more will have been opened because of her .
Charles Asche (Chuck)
Senior Lecturer , Piano
Department of Music
University of California at Santa Barbara
Charlene Houghton
September 29, 2012
Phyllis was a delight to work with. Our time together at Barry and our Hurricane festivities are treasured memories. I know she is enjoying the current football season - and calling "Go Canes."
September 22, 2012
May your memories of your sister-in-law help you through the days ahead.
Olan Davidson & Doris Crenshaw
League City, Texas
Matthew Middelthon
September 19, 2012
It was with great sadness that I heard about Phyllis' passing just moments after the Lord took her home. My mom, Ann Eldredge Middelthon, and our family will remember Phyllis and all of the many, many great times together with tremendous sadness. Reading all of the entries thus far here on the 'guest book' is heart warming. Phyllis was my sponsor for my confirmation into the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables many moons ago...and I've been to numerous football games thru the years. I will miss her cookies, too! Be at peace and free from the illness that took your life prematurely.
September 18, 2012
Mrs. Cleveland was a wonderful teacher, then later a great neighbor and friend. She always had a positive word as my family would see her walking in the neighborhood. I will miss seeing her--
Cindy Wilson-Hyde and Julie Wilson
Marilyn deNarvaez
September 18, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Vicki Penn-Zimmaro
September 18, 2012
My family has known Phyllis since 1966. Phyllis and my Aunt Jeanette Penn team taught at Blue Lakes Elementary for many years. Phyllis was family and there is no higher compliment than that. We shared birthday dates and loved to see who could send the more unique card, she always out-bested me. I loved hearing her travel stories and seeing her beautiful collections from all over the world. We were a family of teachers; my parents, my two aunts, and myself and Phyllis added to our teaching family number. So many wonderful memories of sharing holidays with a woman with a heart filled with love for all of us. Phyllis started out being my aunt's teaching team mate and in a very short time she was considered a member of the Penn family. I spoke with her last Monday and we joked and told each other we loved each other. I will cherish that conversation forever.
She is now in God's hands and in a better place. I imagine she and Aunt Jeanette are in heaven plotting out another great adventure and saying to each other well done faithful friend.
With my love to a dear and wonderful woman!
Christina Perez
September 17, 2012
Ms. Cleveland was a wonderful teacher. She helped so many students at Blue Lakes Elementary. My mother and me were both taught by her. She is my favorite teacher.
Ollie Daniels
September 17, 2012
A lovely dear lady. I miss you already.
Mindy Ankrum Townsend
September 17, 2012
We love you, Mrs. Cleveland. You will always be our favorite teacher, neighbor, and friend!
Margie Ankrum Brown
Mindy Ankrum Townsend
Miriam Ankrun Duncan
Joyce Maschinot
September 16, 2012
Phyllis was a wonderful teacher, along with Jeanette Penn, to my 3 sons. They all have very fond memories of her. She was also a friend of mine for many years. Rest in peace.
Elaine Marlin
September 16, 2012
Phyllis was a wonderful lady, and a caring, honest, professional teacher. I had the honor of knowing her all of my years at Blue Lakes Elementary. She referred so many students to me to evaluate for speech therapy, always interested in what I had to say about each child, and always adding humor to our conversations. I missed her at Blue Lakes when she went on to bigger and better things with Barry University,but I ran into her over the years, and she always had a spark of energy. She was one of the kindest and friendliest people I have met, and was a terrific listener. I always enjoyed walking into her classroom to pick up my students: she always had some mural up, or some project going on with her students, and she was proud to have them show those projects off to visitors!
Ann Travis
September 16, 2012
Phyliss was such a dedicated teacher for so many yars. She not only taught my girls, but was also a colleague and neighbor. She will always be remembered. God be with you all at this special time.
Sandee and Gordon Schwieger
September 16, 2012
My husband and I consider Phyllis one of our most valued friends. She was so genuine, and had such a zest for life. Our family was blessed and inspired by her stories and adventures. We were also personally blessed by her dedication as an inspiring teacher. We miss her as we would a member of our family. Our gratitude and sympathies go out to Dave and Sherry for their loving care of Phyllis. She will be greatly missed.
Vicki Schwieger
September 16, 2012
Phyllis was not only my fifth grade teacher at Blue Lakes, but an inspiration and mentor. Her love of travel ignited curiosity about far away places and was a wealth of information on all the places she visited. I will never forget her collection of nativity sets from her travels as well as the photographs she shared from her adventures. As a teacher myself, I hope that I can continue her leagacy, inspiring children to see the world. Our family will greatly miss her.
Sam Carter
September 16, 2012
Phyllis was one of the kindest ladies I have ever met, with a terrific sense of humor.
Evelyn Evans
September 16, 2012
I worked with Phyllis for many years at Barry U., and found her unfailingly kind, insightful, helpful, professional, and a wonderful friend. She will be greatly missed by her students and friends.
Mindy Townsend
September 16, 2012
Simply put, Mrs. Cleveland is the reason I am a teacher. She was my 6th grade teacher, and also many years later, my advisor at Barry. She was my neighbor growing up and my friend as I grew older. She is family. The day I walked into Barry to talk to someone about this drastic career change which my heart had led me to, out walked Mrs. Cleveland. I instantly recognized the voice coming from the hallway as she said, "So you finally realized you were meant to be a teacher,huh? I knew it all along!" She gave me a big hug and was there every step of the way; along with Mrs. Maschinot, also part of my Blue Lakes family, who has been here for me through the years. Every day, as Mrs. Cleveland walked her dogs (her beloved children) growing up, she'd stop and chat with my family about how well us girls were doing in school, about the Canes which we all loved, and about everything else we had in common. When I was at Barry, she'd stop and tell my Dad how great I was doing, on her evening walks. Mom had already passed away by then. Just before I graduated, Dad went on to join Mom. On graduation day, it was Mrs. Cleveland who filled that void, waiting at the end of the stage. Dressed in her graduation royalty gown she wrapped her arms around me once again as I cried, diploma in hand, both proud of myself and sad all at the same time. She whispered in my ear how proud she was of me and reminded me that Mom and Dad were smiling down. Then she pointed to my sisters, my husband and my children in the audience and said, "they are proud of you too!" We had lunch after I'd landed my first teaching job and she filled my van up with classroom supplies she'd taken out of her spare bedroom and closets. She was always there, always caring and offering support with that great big smile to warm your heart. Our last visit together was at Sports Grill to watch a UM game with my sister the Chickillo family, who are also former students. I'm so thankful that moment was our last; laughing, enjoying time together and cheering for our beloved Canes. I love you Mrs. Cleveland. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
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