Phyllis Blakeney Brodhead

PHYLLIS BLAKENEY BRODHEAD
ITHACA - Phyllis Blakeney Brodhead, 77, of 136 N. Sunset Dr., Ithaca, passed away unexpectedly early Saturday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. She was the daughter of the late Col. Creswell and Margery Blakeney. Professionally, she was the Library Media Specialist at Boynton Middle School for 33 years, gently but firmly touching the lives of thousands of Ithaca children. She was also a dedicated community volunteer. Personally, she was a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Phyllis was born in Chicago, IL, growing up in Hawaii, Princeton, NJ and Washington, D.C. She graduated from Sidwell Friends High School, then Vassar College majoring in art history and worked briefly at both the National Gallery and Metropolitan Museum of Art. She met her husband Charles (Chuck) in 1951 in Washington while he was serving in the Marine Corps at Quantico, VA.
Raising a family was her first priority. All four of her children were born in Ann Arbor, MI after which the family lived in Indianapolis, IN. She came to Ithaca in 1965, the place she called home for over 40 years. She initially led her life around the lives of her children participating in sporting events, lessons, camps, summer jobs, paper routes, scouts and much more. She was extremely proud of her four children when they each participated in the Rotary Exchange program. In return she hosted, in her own home, nine international students over several years, an experience she said was "one of the most rewarding of her life." She then went on to earn a masters degree in library science from Syracuse University and was employed by the Ithaca City School District. As was her spirit, she wove her degree into a second career where she became a highly respected colleague and a leader among teachers, librarians, and administrators. But she was never too busy, nor was it too late in the day, for her to help a student.
Numerous Ithaca area organizations benefited from her energy and sensible counsel. At various times Phyllis has served as a hands-on volunteer and/or board member for various school committees and PTAs, Family and Children's Service of Ithaca, Tompkins County Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, the Ladies Union Benevolent Society (LUBS), and the Presbyterian Church, where she also served as wedding coordinator. Additionally, she was an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter I.
The focus of her later life was her six grandchildren, whom she adored immensely. She regularly traded book reading suggestions with Katherine and Laura. She was awed and inspired by their range of recommendations. Each summer she eagerly looked forward to the annual two-week visit by Greg and Cora, planning all sorts of activities she thought they would enjoy. And she savored the many joyful times with young Paul and Anna, playing games and doing puzzles.
In addition to her devoted husband Chuck, Phyllis is survived by her four loving children and families: Charles, Jr. and Jan Brodhead and Katherine and Laura of Houston, TX; Scott and Maria Cecilia Brodhead and Paul and Anna of Mendham, NJ; Margery of New York City; and Polly and Charles Weidhas and Gregory and Cora of St. Louis, MO. She is also survived by her brother Garry Blakeney of Scarborough, NY, her brother and sister-in-law Allan and Connie Brodhead of Chesterfield, MO and the many others who were touched by her caring, giving nature.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church to further its youth ministry, 315 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850. A service of remembrance and celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 23rd. An opportunity to visit with family and friends will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green St.