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Phyllis Day Obituary
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Phyllis was born June 14, 1934 in Jackson, MI, to the late Lloyd and Nora (Seymour) Phelps.
She obtained her PhD in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan. Most recently she was a Professor of Social work at Purdue University; she also taught at Boise State, Western Michigan University and Temple.
Phyllis was very involved in academia; she was the head of the Social Work Program during her time at Purdue, Boise State and Western Michigan University. She wrote the textbook "A New History of Social Welfare" that was used in undergraduate and graduate classes; as well as numerous articles on the subject.
Phyllis enjoyed ballroom dancing and taught it in her free time. She also had a good ear for music and taught herself to play the guitar, violin, and piano. She wrote several songs, including "The Singing Wind".
She had a good heart and a weird sense of humor. She deeply loved animals and cared for many cats and dogs over the years. She will be missed by her family and friends.
Surviving are her children: Jerald Day, Jr of West Point, Nora Day of Des Moines, IA, Merry (Brad) Gick of Crawfordsville, IN, Sean (Michaela) Day and Joy Day; four grandchildren: Jeremy Lonas, Robin (Matthew) Jeffries, Angela Clark and Sandra Clark; and nine great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in passing by her parents, four sisters; two brothers and grandson, Aaron Lonas.
No services are scheduled at this time. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com
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Barb
July 23, 2023
aunt Phyllis I miss you very much love you Catherine and Sherman
Barbara Graves
July 22, 2023
Auñt Phillips I love you and I will miss you very much Barbara Graves
Ricky graves
July 22, 2023
May you rest in peace Aunt phyllis.love your nephew Ricky graves
Jerome H. Schiele
July 17, 2023
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Phyllis Day! I knew Phyllis as a loving and supportive friend and colleague. In her professional world, Phyllis was known as a great social welfare policy scholar who was committed to both analyzing and advocating for social policies that uplift the truly disadvantaged. Her book, A New History of Social Welfare, is a major social welfare policy text used extensively in schools and departments of social work throughout the nation and world. I got to know Phyllis much better years ago when she invited me to collaborate with her on the 7th edition of the "A New History" book, and we currently have a contract with Oxford University Press for an 8th edition, which I am committed to completing in her honor.
Phyllis and I had wonderfully stimulating conversations about social work, social policy, and the general American political scene. We also had many discussions about our personal lives and how they both converged and diverged along issues of race, gender, and economic class. We also talked much about each other´s families and she was always sending well wishes to me and my family. Finally, when I developed health challenges recently, she was a reliable source of support and encouragement. I will enormously miss our conversations and collaboration and, more importantly, the wonderful emotions that imbued our friendship!
With Much Love, Appreciation, and Respect,
Jerome H. Schiele
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Jan Pearlman Cortner
July 12, 2023
Professor Phyllis Day impacted the lives of social work majors at Purdue for many years. She will not be forgotten.
Marge Hood
July 8, 2023
It was an honor to know this lovely lady.
Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc.
July 8, 2023
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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