Phyllis G. Vath 1941-2026

She was the only child of Phillip and Mabel Leis Christian and lived a life defined by devotion to family, quiet excellence, creativity, humor and a competitive spirit.

A 1959 graduate of Austintown High School, Phyllis met her future husband, Paul C. Vath, at an Idora Park dance. They married Sept. 26, 1961. They continued dancing together well into their 70s. They excelled in the jitterbug and could dance with the best of them. They loved the Anne Murray song “Could I Have This Dance,” lyrics that perfectly reflected their partnership, grace and enduring love.

In her early years, Phyllis was a devoted stay-at-home mother who began each day before dawn making breakfast for her husband, kept an immaculate home, and cared for her children’s needs in every way.

An accomplished seamstress, she made much of her children’s clothing throughout their school years. Her skills included crochet, earning a blue ribbon at the Canfield Fair. Phyllis was also known for baking, especially for her pastries, cookies, pies and her famous angel food strudel, for which she also won a Blue Ribbon. She traditionally made it for the Christmas season for over 50 years. She baked more than 200 dozen cookies for her daughter’s wedding, as well as for both of her grandsons. In fact, she insisted on making ALL of them for one of the weddings at the age of 73.

She worked as a legal secretary for the law firm of Roth, Stevens, Blair, Lodge, and Strasfeld until her retirement in 1996 and is still referenced at the office for her excellence.

She was a member of the Angels of Easterseals, donating her time and culinary skills for the Easterseals’ annual events.

Phyllis loved football and, along with Paul, attended Austintown Fitch High School football games as season-ticket holders for nearly 60 years. She was also a fan of the Cleveland Browns and the Ohio State Buckeyes. She cherished traveling with her girlfriends, including a trip to Europe, where she boasted about laughing together until their bellies hurt.

After retirement, Phyllis became her husband’s first mate when they purchased a boat and trailer, making Geneva-on-the-Lake their second home. They spent years “slaying” walleye and perch, providing year-round fish for the entire family. They also took their boat on Ohio River cruises with fellow boating friends, creating lasting friendships and cherished memories.

She later participated in line dancing with a group of friends, mastering it with the same pride she brought to everything she did. She was a member of the Saxon Club, the Red Hats Women’s Association and an active participant in the women’s bocce league. Known for her competitive nature, Phyllis was rarely outmatched in backyard sports, often besting her teenage children and their friends in badminton, ping pong and croquet — victories she thoroughly enjoyed.

Phyllis was the loving mother of Thomas (Laura) Vath and Bonnie (Paul) Patuto; a proud grandmother of Thomas (Ashley) Vath Jr., Timothy (Elizabeth) Vath, Kristen (Joe) Archie and Anthony Patuto. She was a cherished great-grandmother to Jackson, Julian, Remi, Wesley and Cooper Vath.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Aventura Humility House in Austintown and to the caregivers at Patriot Hospice for their compassionate and dedicated care over the past couple of years.

Visiting hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Patriot Hospice or Aventura Humility House in Austintown.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences can be sent by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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