Phyllis Reich Ansell

1925 - 2018

Phyllis Reich Ansell

Chicago - Phyllis Reich Ansell, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, poet, playwright and wife died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday March 18, 2018 in Chicago at the age of 93.

Born on February 1, 1925 in London England to Polish-born Avraham and Bertha Reich, Phyllis was youngest of thirteen children and lived in London and Maidenhead. She married the late Gerald J. E. Ansell, a well-known Binghamton physician also born in London, and then moved to the Binghamton area in 1948. Following Gerald's passing in 1995, she married the now late Matthew Paushter, MD and moved from Binghamton to Boynton Beach and Lantana Florida where she resided until her passing.

Phyllis grew up in pre-war England and survived the bombings of London during World War II. A creative writer at a young age, her poems were performed on the BBC. After immigrating to America, Gerald and Phyllis lived in New York City, Jersey City NJ, and North Carolina before settling in Binghamton. She was the mother of five children and an energetic volunteer and leader in several local and regional organizations and causes, including the Lourdes Hospital auxiliary, Hadassah, Beth David Synagogue sisterhood, among others. She received Hadassah's Woman of the Year Award for her musical plays.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: son Jonathan Ansell, daughter-in-law Pamela Farnham of Richmond, VA, granddaughter Kathryn J. Ansell- Brennan. MD and great-granddaughter Ellie; son David Ansell, MD and daughter-in-law Paula Grabler, MD of Oak Park, IL, grandson Jonah Ansell, granddaughter Leah Ansell, MD and great grandson Rafael, son Daniel Ansell, Esq. and daughter-in-law Elisa of Ardsley, NY. granddaughters Sarah, Leah and Jenna and grandson Justin; daughter Ruth Ansell of Long Island, NY and son Benjamin Ansell and daughter-in-law Sue of Cherry Hill, NJ and their children Corey and Scott. She also leaves behind one sister, Molly Freedman, and dozens of nieces, nephews, and other relations.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Beth David Synagogue, 39 Riverside Drive, Binghamton with Rabbi Zev Silber officiating. Interment will follow services in Beth David Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Phyllis's name may be made to Beth David Synagogue or the US Holocaust Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC 20024. To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com. Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.