Phyllis Garrigan McLaney

Phyllis Garrigan McLaney passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday, February 9, 2026, in Miami. She was born on August 20, 1948, in Miami Beach to Mary Flaherty and Thomas Leo Garrigan of Lowell.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Michael J. “Mickey” McLaney Jr.; and her niece and goddaughter, Jessica Costello. She is survived by her children: Kevin McLaney and his wife, Alison, and their children, Stefanie, Stella, and Sam; Michael J. McLaney III and his wife, Catherine, and their son, Michael J. “Mac” McLaney IV; and her daughter, Kerry McLaney. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and found great joy in being part of their lives.

She is also survived by her siblings, Sharyn Krise (Mark), Leah Levy (Roger), Patrice Mackereth (Randi), and Thomas L. Garrigan Jr. (Alyson), as well as their children and grandchildren, who will remember her devotion to family.

Phyllis grew up knowing Mickey McLaney, and they were married on May 28, 1970. Soon afterward, they moved to Port-au-Prince, where they lived for more than twenty years while raising their three children. During that time, she focused on her family and formed lasting friendships that continued after she returned to Miami.

She was involved at Union School, where her children attended, and took part in community activities, including a weekly book club at the Colony Club in Pétion-Ville. In 1992, she returned to Miami, keeping many of the friendships she had made there.

Phyllis also shared a deep connection with New Orleans, her husband’s birthplace, and the heart of the McLaney family. She cherished time spent there, especially during Mardi Gras, and stayed in close touch with family members and cousins over the years.

Proud of her Irish heritage, Phyllis valued the faith and traditions of her upbringing. She enjoyed helping with the concert series at St. Martha’s Catholic Church and was a lifelong catholic.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, followed by a private burial with family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to the Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association of the University of Miami (wcaofum.org).