Phyllis B. Abendschoen

Phyllis Abendschoen, a long-time Catonsville resident, passed away on May 6, 2023 at age 85.

Phyllis was born on June 6, 1937 to the late Gilbert Bannister and Lucille Shuler (Bannister, Weyrauch) Ahrens and preceded in death by her brothers Don Bannister (Phyllis Bannister) and Lyn Bannister.

She was the loving wife of the late George A. Abendschoen; devoted mother of Michael A. Abendschoen (Colleen DeBoy), Andrew L. Abendschoen (Patty Abendschoen), G. Neil Abendschoen (Amy Abendschoen), Jacqueline A. Milani (Jack Milani), Mary Clare Gretz (Mark Gretz); cherished grandmother of Kellie Loehr (Donnie Loehr), Kevin Abendschoen (Leah Abendschoen), Shannon Harbison (Bill Kingsland), Greg Abendschoen, Drew Abendschoen, Lee Abendschoen, Julia Abendschoen, Katie Abendschoen, John Milani, Meghan Milani (Matt Lafferty), Molly Milani, Amanda Gretz, Laura Gretz, Olivia Gretz; dear great grandmother of Luke & Mason Loehr and Michael M. & Jeffrey J. Abendschoen.

Phyllis attended Western High School and graduated in 1955. She then attended nurses training at Church Home and Hospital in Baltimore, now a part of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Phyllis swore she met her late husband George in a German bar and that it was love at first sight. George and Phyllis were married at St. Mark Catholic Church, Catonsville, January 21, 1961.

Phyllis served as a nurse at Saint Martins Home for the Aged, Little Sisters of the Poor, Catonsville and later became an occupational health nurse where she worked for more than 20 years at Calvert Distillery in Relay, MD owned by Joseph E. Seagram & Sons.

Phyllis enjoyed making jams and jelly where she won many a blue ribbon at the Maryland State Fair and then shared her spoils with friends and family, spending time at her summer home in Love Point on the Eastern Shore, and traveling even if it was local. Whenever her daughter’s motor home pulled away from the curb, Phyllis could be found sitting in a passenger seat.

Phyllis instilled a strong family and fun-loving spirit among all of her family and friends.

A visitation will be held at St. Mark Church Chapel on Tuesday, May 9th from 5-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday at 10:30am at the church followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations may be made in Phyllis's name to St. Benedict Catholic Church, 2612 Wilkens Ave., Baltimore, MD 21223 and Catonsville 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 21202, Catonsville, MD 21228 http://www.catonsvillecelebrations.org/support-us/