Phyllis A. Rosenblum

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis Rosenblum, 80, who died May 2, 2025.

Phyllis was born in Hoopole, Illinois in 1944 to Mildred and Arthur Zinser. She grew up on a small working farm, which sparked a life-long interest in horticulture. She attended Blackburn College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She then moved to Chicago to begin her career, where she met Edwin Rosenblum, whom she married. The family moved to Albany in 1973 and then to Altamont in 1983 where she spent the remainder of her years.

Phyllis spent many years in her gardens, which led her to join the Master Gardeners of the Cooperative Extension, where she volunteered for decades. She went back to college at SUNY Cobleskill to obtain a degree in Landscape Design, which she employed at her own home gardens as well as those of private homeowners and public parks. She wrote a gardening column for many years at first the Knickerbocker News, and then the Albany Times Union. She also worked as a library clerk at the Vorheesville Public Library for many years.

Phyllis had a lifetime love of animals, from the animals she helped raise on the farm to the many family pets that were kept over the years, and the wild birds she fed regularly. She always had an animal story to share.

 Phyllis is survived by her children, Joshua Rosenblum (Gabby) of Oak Park, Illinois, Jesse Rosenblum of Brooklyn, New York, two grandchildren, Lucie and Vivian, and her brother, Roger Zinser. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Rosenblum.

A celebration of her life will be held at the George Landis Arboretum Meeting House, 200 Lape Rd, Esperance, NY 12066 on Saturday, July 26th at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Cooperative Extension, https://albany.cce.cornell.edu/donate.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.cannonfuneral.com.