Obituary of Phyllis Magee

GREENVILLE – Phyllis Barnes Magee passed away peacefully at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home on Thursday, May 28, 2020. She was born on June 21, 1928 in Catskill, the daughter of LeRoy and Syrene Brockett Barnes of the Town of Durham. In addition to her parents, Phyllis is predeceased by her loving husband, Vernon F. “Flip” Magee on March 24, 1995. A graduate of the Greenville School District’s Class of 1945, Phyllis received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz. She was a beloved First Grade Teacher for 40 years, 34 of those served in the Greenville Central School District. With a glint in her eye, she often recalled the year she taught one of her granddaughters in her classroom. She soon transitioned from “Mrs. Magee” to “Grandma” to everyone in the elementary school. Phyllis and Vernon married in 1951 and together they had three sons: Rick, Ron, and Randy. As the boys grew up, Phyllis and Vernon focused on family activities, such as Antique Car Club meets and shows, and go-kart racing. Phyllis was always supportive of her kids and grandkids, and all of their activities. In her retirement, Phyllis immersed herself in a flotilla of activities, including Meals on Wheels, the UMC of Greenville & Norton Hill’s Sunday School and Thrift Shop, and babysitting her grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by her three sons, Richard (Debbie) Magee and Ronald (Phyllis) Magee all of Greenville, and Randall (Glenna) Magee of South Carolina; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Erik) Nicholsen, Dr. Kristy Magee, Tracy (Ryan) Ricci, Shelby Magee, Erin Magee, and Ryan Magee; and two great-grandsons, Callum and Gage Nicholsen. A private graveside service will be held on Friday, June 5th in the Greenville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 599, Greenville, NY 12083, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com.