Phyllis Ide

Phyllis Ide

Phyllis Ide passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 6th, 2020, where she had resided since 1955. She celebrated her 97th birthday there, with her family, last month.

Phyllis was raised in Fremont, Ohio, with her beloved brothers, Stan and Bob Gilberg. She graduated from The Ohio State University where she served as the first female editor of The Sundial, the campus humor magazine. She remained a fervent Buckeye supporter all her life, happily watching the Scarlet and Gray win another one the day before she passed.

At OSU she also met and subsequently married, law student, Howard Schwab. Following graduation, they moved to Toledo where Howard became a prominent local attorney and the couple raised their three children, Scott, Betsy and Mike.

Phyllis was a fully engaged mom who also found time to serve as principal of the religious school at Collingwood Avenue Temple where she was the kindergarten teacher for many years.

Widowed at age 45, she focused her many talents on successfully caring for her children.

Several years after Howard's death, she married attorney Charles E. Ide Jr. She enjoyed nearly twenty years with Charlie prior to his passing.

Throughout her life, she was a leader in many social and professional organizations in the community, giving her time generously to all of them. She was a past president and remained very active in The Toledo Bar Association Auxiliary. For that group, she edited and co-wrote the Stir Crazy cookbook. She was a founding member of their gourmet cooking group. She greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of the TBAA and will be missed.

Additionally, Phyllis was active as an Aide at the Toledo Museum of Art for many years and edited and helped produce the popular Art Fare cookbook. She also was an integral member, for many years, of the Ottawa Hills Garden Club.

For more than 50 years, Phyllis was a member of the board of The Toledo Legal Aid Society. As one of two non-lawyers, her insights and observations were highly valued. She was devoted to the cause of justice for all. This dedication was formally recognized earlier this year by the TLAS and by way of a formal proclamation from the Lucas County Commissioners.

She was renowned as a prolific writer and producer of scores of shows and revues for the organizations in which she served. As recently as last year, she wrote and helped direct a critically acclaimed show honoring the Toledo Museum Aides. Phyllis was a gourmet cook and loved to entertain, hosting many memorable dinner parties in her home over the years.

She took inordinate joy in her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She had a wonderful relationship with them and, ever up to date, zoomed and face-timed with them on a regular basis. Her road trips and time with the Jenkins clan were a highlight.

She led by example and taught her children and those around her to live life to the fullest through her indomitable spirit, warm hospitality and generous nature. She lived many years but she wasn't old.

Special thanks to Phyllis's aide, Kathy Hogan, for her caring attitude and to Dr. Robert Axonovitz for the excellent care he provided over many years.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Dora Gilberg; her brothers, Stan and Bob; and her husbands, Howard and Charles. She is survived by her children, Scott (Carol) Schwab, Betsy Jenkins and Michael Schwab; step-children, Tina (Jeff) Fast and Chad Ide; grandchildren, Willow (Luci) Jenkins, Howard Schwab, Abby (Rob) Stewart and Mickey (Samantha) Schwab; and great-grandchildren, Fisher Jenkins, Bodie Jenkins, Preston Schwab and Will Stewart.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Attendance by Zoom and/or livestream will be available. Please go to www.epsteinmemorial.com to obtain login information. A virtual shiva will be held Wednesday and Thursday evening. Specific times and login information for those events will also be available through the Epstein cite.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Toledo Legal Aid Society, 1801 Spielbusch Avenue-2nd floor Toledo, Ohio 43604 or to an organization of the donor's choice.