Phyllis Marie Read

Phyllis Marie Read, 87, died, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at her home in Vermilion after a short illness. She was born on Oct. 14, 1923, in Akron, Ohio, to the late Fred K. and Loretta M. Read (nee McDonough). She was a teacher, a school counselor and an avid traveler who loved to crochet. She was always seen wearing her beloved Native American-made sterling and turquoise jewelry. She was generous with her time, talent and kind words. Phyllis earned a bachelor of science degree from Kent State University and a Master of Science degree with a minor in counseling. Phyllis was a teacher and guidance counselor for 37 years at Mogadore High School during which time she was selected as "Science Teacher of Ohio" in the 1950s and received the Kroger Award for science teachers. She was a Fellow of the Ohio Academy of Science and past president of Summit County Counselor Association. In her retirement, she was an active member of the Silver Lake Garden Club and Lapidary Club of Summit County and a Eucharistic Minister at the Holy Family Church in Stow, where she was involved in several activities and organizations. She was an avid crocheter and over the years crocheted 177 blankets that were donated to patients at Akron Children's Hospital-Adult Unit. Phyllis had an adventurous soul and enjoyed white water rafting and kayaking. Phyllis became a Certified Open Water Scuba Diver at the age of 73. Her hobbies included calligraphy, jewelry making and cryptograms. She became a master of calligraphy and an authoritarian of American Indian basketry and pottery. She lived most of her life in Silver Lake, Ohio, until 1992, when she moved to Vermilion to live with her older sister, Margaret Ruth, and spent the winters in Sewalls Point, FL. In recent years she served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Church in Vermilion and the Altar & Rosary Society. She volunteered time on numerous committees of Main Street Vermilion Inc., was a member of the Harbour Town Knitting Club and the Vermilion area Archival Society. Preceding her in death were her older sister Margaret Ruth Wakefield and twin sister Patricia Anne Moore. She is survived by her nephews, Read F. (Lynda) Wakefield and Theodore D. (Elizabeth) Wakefield II, both of Vermilion; nieces, Margaret (Charles) Wakefield Worcester of Vermilion, Deborah (William) Wakefield O'Hara of Liberty Township and Kathy (Shawn) Moore McCarron of Akron; brother-in-law, John C. Moore of Stow and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces. Her beloved miniature dachshund, Karin, will miss her. Friends may call Saturday Nov. 6, 2010 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion from 10 a.m. until the time of a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Father Jim Holmer and Father Ron Brickner will concelebrate. The family suggests memorial contributions to Main Street Vermilion Inc., 685 Main Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089 or St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089 . The Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com