Phyllis J. Tully

Phyllis Joan Tully (née Eaton), 89, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, with her beloved husband, Paul, of 69 years by her side. Guided by her strong faith and love of family, Phyllis lived her life with a deep sense of fair play and compassion that extended to both those closest to her and to the world at large. She was a fierce champion of the underdog.

Born on October 5, 1936, in Hammond, Indiana to parents Anne and Richard Eaton, Phyllis exhibited keen curiosity around learning at an early age and carried this passion for education throughout her life. She graduated with honors from Hammond High School and went on to earn a degree in education at, then, Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was at Indiana State where she met the love of her life, Paul Tully. They married on May 4, 1957, and graduated college together the following year.

Phyllis and Paul settled in Merrillville, Indiana where they raised four children and resided for 55 years. Phyllis was an active member of the community, most notably serving multiple terms as an elected member of the town school board. In 1981, the Indiana School Boards Association awarded her its annual Outstanding Board Service award for exemplifying the best attributes of effective board governance.

Phyllis' lifelong advocacy for education continued later at St. Xavier University in Chicago. There, she found great joy and fulfillment with her work as a career counselor, helping to guide hundreds of students toward jobs and career paths best suited to their personalities and skill sets.

Phyllis enjoyed many wide-ranging interests beyond education. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist, having performed with school and community choirs for many years. As a young teenager, she made an appearance singing on The Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour, WENR-TV Chicago. Phyllis made lifelong friends as a member of the Chi Omega sorority while at Indiana State and was an active member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Merrillville. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed playing regular games of pinochle with good friends. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty while tending to her beautiful gardens and, in rare moments of leisure, Phyllis often was found voraciously reading one of the three newspapers she subscribed to daily. Her decades spent as an unwavering Chicago Cubs fan were richly rewarded when the team finally snapped the Billy Goat Curse and won the World Series in 2016, just a month after her 80th birthday.

Above all, Phyllis cherished her family. Her and Paul's love and respect for each other was apparent to all who met them. Together, they set an example for their children by showing them the beauty of a deeply loving and lasting relationship.

In addition to her husband Paul, she is survived by daughter Michelle Hastings and son-in-law Dr. Dale Hastings; daughter Paula Gold; son Guy Tully and daughter-in-law Amy Tully; son Carl Tully and daughter-in-law Sherine Tully; granddaughter Melissa Joseph and her husband Tim; grandson Richard Kelnhofer and his wife Kim; granddaughter Allison Sheppard and her husband Erik; grandson Andrew Kelnhofer; grandsons Davis Gold and John Gold; granddaughter Isabelle Tully; granddaughter Paris Tully; grandson Reid Tully; great-granddaughters Beatrice Joseph, Logan Kelnhofer, and Charlotte Sheppard; and great-grandsons Archer Kelnhofer and Henry Sheppard. She is predeceased by son-in-law Bruce Gold and son-in-law David Kelnhofer.

Phyllis Tully leaves behind an indelible imprint on the many lives she touched and will be deeply missed. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to all the staff at The Glenwood, Cedarhurst of Highland, and Dover Hospice for the love and care they provided during her end-of-life journey.

Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.

Services are pending and will be posted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cedarhurst of Highland in Highland, IL and designated to either the Activity Department or Memory Care; or to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation https://www.macular.org.