Phyllis J. (Childs) Neu
All those who loved her, lost their wife, mother, sister,
cousin, aunt and dear friend Phyllis J. Neu (Childs) on Monday morning December
02, 2019. Born on May 03, 1933 to Rudolph and Leora Childs, she enjoyed a
lively childhood in Bolivar, NY, with her sisters Shirley (Clayton) Hackett,
Carolyn (Kenneth) Hackett, Beverly (Arthur) Brown, Patricia (Lawrence) Learn, and
Constance (Ralph) Best. Phyllis and her
sisters became known as the Childs’ Girls who enjoyed good times “cutting up a
rug or two” at a local dance hall, the bowling league, or campground. The bond she developed with her sisters
lasted throughout her lifetime.
Phyllis met the dream and love of her life, Paul Neu at her parent’s
cottage at Cuba Lake, in 1947. They married October 07, 1949 and recently
celebrated their milestone of 70 wonderful years together. Theirs was a marriage made in heaven. They did everything together from working,
serving their church, community and family, opening their home for family
gatherings and parties, to club meets (4-H and Youth For Christ) and more. When it comes to work life, she was a key
partner in building the family business.
It was not easy to start up a business in the late 1950’s, particularly
a disposal business, but Phyllis’ sense of team, strategic thinking, and
determination didn’t stop her from supporting her husband every step of the
way. Without hesitation, she drove truck
when needed, mastered the book-keeping duties, and championed the ability to
multi-task household chores with parenting responsibilities.
Phyllis was a creative, resourceful, mother
extraordinaire. With a new business and
four children on the go, she managed to attend parent-teachers’ conferences,
advocated for quality education for her children, ensured they would have music
instruments of their choice to learn the value of discipline, taxied them to
sports practices, concerts, school plays, downhill skiing, church activities
and more. Phyllis led a 4-H club and taught young members how to care for,
train, ride and show ponies. And in her
spare time, she coordinated summer vacations that entailed camping / cottaging
at the lake front, joined bowling leagues, went motor biking and snowmobiling.
Phyllis received her GED in 1972 and went on to St. Francis
School of Nursing, where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1974. This training amplified her core, caring
nature and she worked at the Olean General Hospital. During these years, Phyllis was also helping
take care of Paul’s aging parents, visiting Paul’s sister in the hospital who
had survived a severe head-on collision, and also taking in a family that
needed housing as a result of the 1972 flood.
Phyllis balanced her life with play; she enjoyed many years
of taking her grandchildren for overnights, shopping, movies, let alone
attending their sports games and special events. She loved to travel with her beloved Paul in
his plane, RV camping across the States and throughout Alaska, and trekking
from their home in Cuba, NY to their home in Florida where they enjoyed six
months of the year sailing, biking, and getting into all the good fun that
retirees get into.
A woman of boundless energy and a strong sense of place and
duty who valued family above all, Phyllis worked tirelessly to provide loving
support to her loved ones and did so with amazing fervor.
In addition to her loving husband of 70 years, Phyllis
leaves behind three daughters - Kathie (David) NeuOrgan, Nancy (James) Burdick,
Bonita (Michael) Hennard; one daughter-in-law – Kathleen (Michael) Neu; eight
grandchildren – Mark (Elaiza) Neu, Jeff Neu, Cynthia (John) Matheny, Josiah
(Cathryn) Hennard, Laurel (Scott) Comstock, Melissa Hennard, Amanda Burdick,
and Ethan Hennard; ten great grandchildren – Claudia Neu, Patrick Neu, Lauren
Neu, Chester Matheny, Peyton Matheny, Audrea and Naomi, Brianna Comstock,
Colton Comstock, and Joshua Neu; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and great
nieces and nephews.
Phyllis is predeceased by her parents, Rudolph and Leora
Childs; son, Michael (Kathleen) Neu; and sisters, Beverly (Arthur) Brown and
Constance (Ralph) Best.
At her request, there will be no visitation or funeral
service.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mark F. Rinker
Funeral Home, Cuba, NY.
Memorials may be made to the Cuba Circulating Library.
