Phyllis Lenhard

Phyllis Rosaline Lenhard, age 102, passed away on June 03, 2022. Phyllis was born in Lorain, OH to Michael Gill & Rosa Siska under the name, Tofilia Gill; her name was changed to Phyllis in 1935 in Detroit, MI. She married Alfred J. Lenhard on July 01, 1946, he passed in 1975. Surviving are her beloved sons Robert "Bob" (Cynthia) Lenhard & Daryl Lenhard. Also her loving grandchildren Neil and Adrienne, and great-granddaughter Nicolette Hagan. Preceded by her daughter, Cathy Krueger (January 2013). Phyllis's father worked with Thomas Edison from 1910-1914 in NJ, then with Henry Ford from 1914-1948 & Edison with Ford in MI in 1931. She knew both families at their homes & the Ford family up till WWII. Phyllis worked for Hudson Motor, Detroit for 4.5 years, she was the 1st Rosie the Riveter, then for the US War Dept where she was Supporting Engineering & QA liaison position for Washington DC on B-29 Bombers.
Phyllis was honored at the Library of Congress with 30 other Original Rosie's on March 22, 2016. She sold over $450,000 in War Bonds & Federal Stamps supporting WWII War efforts. Phyllis also worked at Metro Airport for International Air Freight Forwarders for 12 years, clearing shipments internationally; including Veterans KIA during Viet Nam 1960s. She worked with top-level agencies from the FBI, CIA, MI State Police, Interpol + US Customs. Later she rejoined the Aircraft Manufacturing Industry as a legal secretary in Administration & Suppliers. Phyllis has been in two Guinness Book of World Record events for American Rosie the Riveter Association in MI: Phyllis was just in the Dearborn Memorial Day Parade with Rosie's, days earlier having fun. Phyllis had survived 4 major surgeries at John Hopkins Bay View in Baltimore, MD this past year from local rehab falls. After an unfortunate turn of events on December 10, 2021, her health degraded.
Phyllis led her family in Catholic Religion discipline, prayed daily & had a great outgoing disposition & independence. On May 14, 2022, Phyllis was invited to Fordson HS Dearborn, as the oldest Alumnus in attendance & received an Honorary HS Diploma. She will be missed beyond belief & made Life worth living. Always helped others in need, and was a very attractive woman.
Many thanks to Chris and Sarah Jones and their family for your friendship and help.
God has her now, with her friends & family smiling, being healthy, a sight to remember.
"My heart sinks with you gone, Mom. Knowing you for 66 years, I could have done more. I hope to see you in my dreams Mom just like before. Trying to get through this at 102 you were my kid, I love you Mom & really miss what we did. All that is left, there you are. Daryl"
The hardest thing Phyllis ever said to me over the years was, "when I'm gone, you're going to miss me". She was right.