Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
FUNERAL HOME
Phyllis Medvedow Obituary
Phyllis Kronick Medvedow, beloved pillar of the New Haven community, died on March 9 at age 93. For over 60 years, her impact was felt across the city and state through her many professional and volunteer positions, her wide range of relationships and constant attention to the people and causes dear to her. These included serving as director of community and government affairs at Yale New Haven Hospital and contributing her time and skills to the New Haven Foundation, PTA, ADL, Jewish Historical Society, American Cancer Society, garden club, Last Tuesday Association, hospital ladies, Urban League, New Haven Board of Education, Arts Council, and the Educational Center for the Arts. As recently as five years ago, she was elected president of the Residents' Council and launched the first government relations committee at the Whitney Center where she moved in 2017.
She was the wife of Leon A. Medvedow (deceased 2012) for 59 years, marrying in 1952, after Phyllis graduated UConn the previous year. Together they ran political campaigns and Congress Printers, building friendships and relationships across the city. Everyone knew that Phyllis had the energy, determination and ability to advance their shared aspirations. There were no greater champions of New Haven, though the UConn women's basketball team was a close second.
Phyllis and Leon also shared a love of the beach community of Woodmont, an extended family that summered together for over 50 years.
Born to Louis B. and Anna (Skolnick) Kronick, immigrants from Vilna and Minsk, Phyllis was the fourth of five daughters. Her sisters, Estelle Leventhal, Irma Evans, Eleanor Greenberg, and Sondra Traurig, all predeceased her.
If you spent any time at all with Phyllis, you would quickly learn that she was the mother of Jill Medvedow (husband Richard Kazis) and Lissy Medvedow (husband Clifford Cohen), the grandmother of Noah Kazis, Olivia Susman, Sophie Kazis and Charlotte Cohen, and the great-grandmother of Eliza Kazis, and Sawyer, Ashton and Summer Susman. There was no limit to the pride she took in her family, including her many nieces and nephews.
She was a loving and much loved matriarch and friend: Phyllis to her friends, Grandma, Aunt Phyl and Ujie to the generations. Her love, care, humor and strength will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 11, at 11 a.m. at the Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, with Shiva to follow there from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven or Donate Life Connecticut. Funeral Arrangements in care of Robert E Shure & Son Funeral Home, New Haven
Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis Medvedow
Sponsored by NHRegister.com.
21 Entries
Patricia Lucan
March 19, 2024
Lissy and family,
I am sorry to learn of your mother´s passing, but happy she had a long and amazingly active and meaningful life. Take joy in the memories!
Sorry we lost touch over the years,
Patricia (Listro) Lucan
Arthur Swirsky
March 18, 2024
Lissy and Family, So sorry to hear about your mother´s passing away. I´ll always remember her fondly for being your wonderful mom to you and Jill and wife to your father Leon. She also was a great woman leader for New Haven.
Ed & Raquel Bonessi
March 15, 2024
Phyllis was a joy to work with on the Woodmont Board of Warden & Burgesses for two decades. She will be missed.
Jim and Audrey Foster
March 14, 2024
Jill and family we are so sorry to hear of Phyllis´ passing. While we didn´t know her, she sounded like an extraordinarily dynamic woman. May the hole that her passing leaves in your lives be filled with many wonderful memories. Our sincerest condolences. Jim and Audrey Foster
Victoria Tucker Pacileo
March 14, 2024
I was so sorry to read of Phyllis´s passing! My sincere sympathy to her family!
I met Phyllis when I worked at The Institute Library in New Haven many years ago. She was a longtime member, Patron, & Supporter. She borrowed books on a regular basis, and we were aware of the types of books she enjoyed. They were set aside for her, and she appreciated that! At Holiday/Christmas time, she always remembered us & would come in with thoughtful gifts for Becky, Head Librarian, John, our custodian, and myself, to be placed under "The Library Christmas Tree!" Such a kind, sweet, and caring woman! Phyllis will be sorely missed!
Patricia B. Illingworth
March 13, 2024
Phyllis was a lovely, lovely lady. No one like her.
Bobbie Cohen
March 12, 2024
The service for Phyllis was beyond beautiful. A fitting tribute to a wonderful woman. I regret not getting to know her better when I had the chance because my social anxiety got in the way. Sending lots of love to her family and friends.
Esta Epstein
March 11, 2024
Great women beget great women.
Esta and Bob
Kathy DeStefano
March 11, 2024
Phyllis´s love towards me and my family was a true treasure! From the very first time I met Phyllis, she opened her heart to me and my two young boys. They still recall fond memories of all their visits with the Medvedows to this day. When visiting Phyllis at Whitney Center, she embraced me with genuine concern, love, and kindness. She was always so upbeat which always elevated my mood! She always asked about my boys and my grandkids and loved seeing photos of them. I feel so blessed to have had Phyllis in my life. She is one of a kind - a true GEM! She will be missed tremendously. My deepest condolences go out to Jill, Lissy, and the Family.
Ilene Kaplowitz Lieberman
March 11, 2024
Dear Cousins Lissy, Jill, and family.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. She will always be remembered in my heart as a vibrant Kronick sister who along with your dad, were such loving cousins to my mom and dad. May her memory be a blessing.
Sending Hugs and Love,
Ilene Kaplowitz Lieberman
Bill Friedler
March 10, 2024
Our neighbor on Vista Terrace for so many years. Mother of my friends, Lissy and Jill. Phyllis is part of the warm memories of my childhood growing up in the Westville section of New Haven. I remember walking up the front steps of the Medvedow´s house into the backyard en route to David Street School, our elementary school. It was a shortcut, on which I always felt welcome. Phyllis was way ahead of her time as a woman who made a difference in her community. The success of Lissy and Jill as highly successful women in Boston is by no means an accident. The apples did not fall far from the tree. This highly intelligent and vital person will surely be missed by the New Haven community. She was a rock star. May her memory be a blessing.
Bill Friedler. Brookline, MA.
Debbie (Fish) Kaye
March 10, 2024
It´s been many years since I´ve seen Phyllis or Lissy, who I attended school with. We shared carpools to Hebrew school. But I will never forget the kindness extended to me when Phyllis and Lissy hosted a surprise birthday party for me in their beautiful home on Vista Terrace. Deepest sympathy to Lissy and Jill and their families on the loss of such a kind woman.
Jeffrey B. Bilgore
March 10, 2024
Phyliss was a second sister to my mother Joan Bilgore-Frank and a second mother to me. She will always be a rock of love, grace, kindness and strength. Everyone she touched will be forever better and grateful for insightful kindness and understanding. Words cannot begin to express the depth of this. A true treasure of humanity, she will be loved eternally.
Charles Bove
March 10, 2024
To the family of my friend Phyllis;
Please accept my sincere empathies for your loss.
We have been friends for many years & served on several community boards together. I was her "chauffeur" & used to pick her up for Board meetings when she was unable to drive herself.
I spoke with her just a week ago & she was her usual vibrant, humorous & interesting self.
We shared many common friends & relatives.
I am taken back by her passing, but she was an inspiration to us all. Her caring & giving manner helped so many people who were in need.
I will miss her greatly, but will remember her for a life well spent in the service to others.
On a humorous note, I had asked her years ago to join me to co-Chair a Smilow Hospital Board. Her reply was, "only if I could sit next to you & kick you in the shins if you get out of control"! That was my friend Phyllis!
God bless you my dear friend. May you rest in peace until we meet again. I will miss you!
Your friend,
CHUCK (Bove)
Pat Del Vecchio
March 10, 2024
Phyliss was a truly remarkable person and friend, a powerhouse of knowledge and energy. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew. My sincere condolences to her family.
Karen Peck
March 10, 2024
Phyllis was my neighbor and beloved friend for more than 20 years. Like a grandmother to my children and a comforting presence always. I can´t think of anyone I admired more. I wasn´t ready to lose her. Much love to Lissy, Jill, and their families. It´s comforting to believe she´s back with Leon. Karen Peck
Stuart L. Miller
March 9, 2024
To Phyllis's family, I am sorry for your loss. I knew Phyllis and Leon from aldermanic politics in Westville in the 1970's and more recently looked forward to seeing her at Jewish Historical Society events. May her memory be for a blessing. Sue and Stuart Miller
Gail Thibaudeau Bellucci
March 9, 2024
I am deeply honored to have called Phyllis my friend for many years. Her zeal for life, her warmth, and her deep goodness will inspire us and remain with us always. I am grateful to her and to Leon for all they shared with me. My sincere condolences, Jill, Lissy and family.
Francine Bergami
March 9, 2024
Phyllis was such a lovely person in every way. It wasn´t too long ago I had lunch with her. It´s over 35 years ago I started doing the bookkeeping for she and Leon. They always made me feel like family. I know Phyllis will be missed by many. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Jill and Lissy and family. She was always so proud of her daughters and grandchildren.
Sincerely, Francine Bergami
Martha Weisbart
March 9, 2024
I can never recall Phyllis without a smile on her face. We worked together when she and Leon owned the print business -- and she was ever gentle and kind. She will be missed
Denise Thigpen LPN(Whitney Center)
March 9, 2024
All I can say is that Phyllis was my favorite girl here at Whitney Center. She will TRULY, TRULY be missed. Fly high and rock the heavens Gorgeous. My deepest and most sincere condolences to Jill, Lissy and the entire family. "My Gorgeous" was and will always be, the best. She will eternally hold a special place in my heart.
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results
Make a Donation
in Phyllis Medvedow's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Phyllis Medvedow
Mar
11
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT
Mar
11
Shiva
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT
Mar
11
Shiva
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT
Funeral services provided by:
Robert E. Shure & Son Funeral Home, Inc.543 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511
How to support Phyllis's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Phyllis Medvedow's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more