Smith, Phyllis

 

Phyllis Smith, who was Punta Gorda’s first woman City Council member, was born Phyllis J. Schwab in Dayton, Ohio on November 26, 1926, the only child to Mabel and John Schwab.

Phyllis lived in Punta Gorda for many years before returning to Dayton, Ohio the last three years of her life.   She enjoyed being active in the community, serving on the Board of the PGI Civic Association Isles Yacht Club, Isle-ettes of the IYC, and the Charlotte Regional Medical Center Hospital and Civic Advisory Council.  Phyllis was a 50-year member of Eastern Star, past president of the Peace River Republican Women’s Forum and formerly a Republican Precinct Committeewoman. 

She was elected as the first female City Council member in 1985, and served as Vice Mayor for two terms.  Phyllis was Chairman and Founding member of the Punta Gorda Revitalization Committee.  Phyllis was a member and Elder at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.

Phyllis loved playing the organ, raising dashounds and playing on with her computer. She enjoyed working needlepoint and being a good friend to all she met.

Smith’s husband, USAF Lt. Col. Roger H. Smith,  died in 2010.

At the time of her death in 2016, Phyllis was survived by her daughters Linda (Bill) Hostutler of Kettering, Ohio and Jane (Doug) Mason of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, stepdaughter Shelly (Michael) Rill of New Jersey, seven grandchildren , seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.