Phyllis Harriet Tozier Hornung

Phyllis Harriet Tozier Hornung passed away peacefully at home with her daughter, Becki, daughter-in-law, Robin, and her canine pal, Arnie. She loved looking out her window at the birds and on the day she died, many birds were fluttering at her window. The birds flew away with her last breath.

For over 50 years, Phyllis was a nurse whose career spanned many areas of nursing including geriatric care, public health, and diabetic education. A life-long learner, Phyllis went back to school to earn her Masters in Counseling Psychology. She loved being a nurse and had a passion for helping her patients, especially in advocating for medical care and resources so that they could live their best lives. Throughout her nursing career she was a strong and compassionate advocate for her patients in helping them navigate complex medical systems so that they could access necessary health resources. She was very proud of the fact that she didn’t retire until 77 years old.

Born in Buffalo, New York, she graduated from Amherst High School. She attended The College of Wooster, then transferred to Syracuse University where she received her Nursing Degree. She was a leader in those years as the president of her nursing school class.

Phyllis was an accomplished dried flower artist and avid gardener. She was most happy digging in the dirt in her garden, cultivating her vegetables and flowers, which she would later dry and press for her artwork, and spending time with her family. Trips to England and East Hampton were fun times, bringing her siblings together to tease each other and to reminisce. Over the course of her life, she lived in many places and wherever she went, she made wonderful friends. She raised her children to value kindness, compassion, and curiosity, and taught them that hard work and persistence are the keys to making one’s dreams become reality. Fiercely independent, she always found a way to do what was most important to her. At 77 years old she traveled to China to join her artist friends at the Worldwide Dried Flower Conference. Being able to meet and exchange ideas with people from all over the world was a dream come true for her. She always believed that befriending people from all different kinds of backgrounds was something that enriched her life.

Phyllis is survived by her three children: Jennifer Garvin, Becki (Robin Rusboldt), and Dan (Chris); grandchildren, Zachary and Nicole Hornung; sister, Gail Richeson (Frank) and nephew, David Richeson (Becky); grandniece and nephew: Nora, Ben, and nephew Mark Richeson (Ângela); grandniece, Antonia; sister-in-law, Leslie Tozier; niece, Carolyn Molesworth-St. Aubyn (Willy); grandniece and nephews: Jemima, Archie, Jake, and Katrina Bates; grandniece and nephew, Mollie and Billy. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Helen Harley Tozier, and her brother, Bill Tozier.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff at Hospice Alliance, caregivers Tiffany and Jane, long time caregiver Kelly Gonio, and friends, Yvonne Mayer and Diane Ferraro. With the help of all of these kind and wonderful people, Phyllis was able to stay at home until the end, which was her wish.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the non-profit Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie, WI.