Obituary of Phyllis W. Budell

Phyllis Mae Wolff Budell passed away peacefully at home on December 9, 2015. A recent resident of Grand Island, NY, she lived in Marcellus, NY for 56 years. She was 87. Born October 25, 1928 to Emil and Lilly Wolff, she was raised with her sister Natalie in Erie, PA, and attended Allegheny College. Phyllis married her husband of 62 years, Louis Budell, in 1952, and together they raised five children. A loving mother and homemaker, Phyllis was also active in civic and community affairs at the grass roots level for all of her adult life. A strong believer in public education, Phyllis volunteered on various school committees, and served on the Marcellus School Board for 10 years, from 1975 – 1985. She subsequently served on the Town of Marcellus Planning Commission for a number of years. A child of the Depression, Phyllis believed in frugality, local self-sufficiency, and the wise use of resources. For more than 25 years, she was a central organizer of community supported agriculture in the Syracuse area. Phyllis was a frequent critic of conspicuous consumption and our culture of excess. She worked throughout her life to promote political and economic fairness, and to help those less fortunate than herself. Though quiet in demeanor, she expressed her opinions often in letters to elected officials at all levels of government. Phyllis believed cultural understanding can bring peace. Earlier in life, Phyllis often invited those of differing cultures and socio-economic backgrounds into her home; and later in life, she and her husband traveled to many far off countries. Together, they hosted three foreign exchange students – Joe (Austria), Gotardo (Brazil), Griselda (Honduras). Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Louis Budell, and her older sister, Natalie. Phyllis is survived by her sons, William, of Houston, TX, Robert and wife, Ulrike, of Quickborn, Germany, Timothy and wife, Della, of Westford, VT, David and wife, Lisa, of Sammamish, WA, and daughter Barbara Darpino and husband, Louie, of Grand Island, NY; her adopted AFS family – Joe Dengg, Gotardo De Souza, and Griselda Bustillo; four grandchildren, Anthony, Joseph, Robin, and Justin; and a nephew and four nieces. A public service in remembrance of Phyllis' life will be held in the spring on May 27, 2016 at 10am in the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church, 1 E. Main Street, Marcellus. The family will receive friends after the service in Shinaman Hall. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marcellus Ecumenical Food Pantry, P.O. Box 147, Marcellus, NY 13108.