Obituary of Phyllis M. Petryk

Phyllis Marie Petryk, of Maris Grove, Glen Mills, Pa., passed away on April 19, 2024. She was born June 27, 1937, in Trainer, Pa., and was a graduate of Chester High School and Neumann University. Phyllis brought infinite joy to everyone who knew her—her family, friends, and colleagues and all those she touched during her life. Her smile radiated the love and kindness that were her essence and live on in our hearts. Phyllis began her career as a radiographer and was then employed in AstraZeneca's biomedical laboratory. After retiring from AstraZeneca, she served as the volunteer coordinator for Assisi House, the retirement home for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Beginning in the 1980s, Phyllis was a Sisters of St. Francis companion. She served on the companion advisory board, volunteered at Assisi House following her employment there, and was a member of the Secular Franciscan Fraternity. Phyllis truly lived her Franciscan spirituality, expressing her faith and values throughout all areas of her life, including through her books of poetry, Our Awesome God and Flower and Tree and All That We See. In her leisure time, Phyllis especially enjoyed golf and billiards—earning several billiards trophies at Maris Grove, where she lived from October 2008. During her years at Maris Grove, she served as chair of the community's Catholic Council and was a member of the Writers' Group. She was also active in the Church of the Holy Child, Wilmington, De. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and Michael Petryk, her sisters Eleanor Walls and Florence Petryk, and her brothers, Eugene Patrick and Henry Petryk. Flo and Phyllis lived together for many years in Wilmington and then in Maris Grove. Phyllis is survived by her sister Jean Faulkner; her nieces Gloria Walls and Roseann Lee (Jason); her nephews Ernest Faulkner (Roseann), David Faulkner (Barbara), Eugene Faulkner (Kathy), Harry Walls Jr. (Ruth), and Brian Walls Sr. (Patty); her sister-in-law Joan Patrick; and her 10 grandnieces and grandnephews. She also leaves her many friends, who are deeply blessed to have had Phyllis in their lives. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 30, at the Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Road, Wilmington. Family and friends may call at Holy Child beginning at 10 a.m., April 30. Burial will be at Lawn Croft Cemetery. Donations in memory of Phyllis may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. paganofuneralhome.com