Phyllis Jean Wiggenhorn

Phyllis Jean Wiggenhorn

Our mother was born in 1929 and was 96 years old when she passed away at the Bickford in Worthington, OH surrounded by family, on March 18, 2026.

Parents: Theodore N and Madeleine C

Bothers: Theodore C Ley (deceased) and Richard Ley

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth F Wiggenhorn. She is survived by daughter Kathleen Wiggenhorn and son Kenneth Wiggenhorn, and brother Richard Ley.

We’ve spent some time trying to figure out how to sum up our mother in just a few words—and the truth is, we can’t. She was too many things to too many people. Also she could be fiercely independent, and strong-willed at times. That strength also meant she stood up for what she believed in, protected those she cared about, and faced life’s challenges head-on.

Mom lived in several places in Ohio as she grew up. After marriage, she lived in Euclid and Wickliffe, many years in Lakewood, Ohio. The last 6 years she resided in Columbus, OH. During their later years. our parents took many wonderful overseas trips to many places a few being: England, Ireland, France, Sweden Portugal & Spain and their most exciting trips: Australia, New Zealand and trip to Africa.

In earlier years our mother enjoyed volunteering and did volunteer work at several different agencies in the Cleveland area. In 1977 she enrolled in nursing school and received her RN degree in June 1979. During that time, she became good friends with Bobbie and Dianna-and remained friends with them the rest of her life.

She worked as a nurse at Lakewood Hospital for many years.

Our mom had many special friends and you know who you are. Just a few:

Sister-in-law Joan, who checked on our mother just about every week.

Connie, who our mom met at exercise class at the Y in Westlake.

Special friend Arline-who lived across the street from our mother until late 2019 when mom had to move to Columbus, due to a fall. Arline was always a great friend to her.

Mike and Joanne-mom’s next-door neighbors. Mike’s handyman knowledge kept mom in her house for as long as possible.

The staff at the Bickford- they took such good care of her and in her last days, the hospice workers who made sure she was comfortable. Noah-one of her PT therapists, thank you so much for everything you did for her.

Finally, a quick note about our mom: she had a quick wit and a clever sense of humor. She taught us to love nature and she was an avid reader. She loved all books and read her newspaper and books almost right up until the end.

She loved all animals. She raised a few cats along the way but her special love was Bassett Hounds! She had many in her lifetime-raising each of them from puppies. Her last pet was Lucy -a beagle mix who also proceeded her in death.

You would find her most afternoons, walking in the valley or at Huntington Reservation located in Bay Village, with her trusty dog leading the way!

A mass of Christian burial will be at St Clements Church, 2022 Lincoln Ave, Lakewood, OH on Thursday April 16, 2026 at 10 am.

She will be buried alongside her husband at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman Ohio after the mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to local hospice or Cleveland Animal Protective League, 1729 Willey Ave #1, Cleveland, OH 44113.

We will miss her always!