Phyllis Mary Hess, 69, of Charlevoix, died Friday, October 13, 2017, at Munson Hospital in Traverse City.

  She was born on November 17, 1947, in Saginaw, the daughter of Lowel M., Sr. and Hazel M. (Long) Thomas.  Phyllis grew up in Saginaw and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1965. 

  On December 13, 1969, in Saginaw, Phyllis married John F.W. Hess. 

  She received her B.S. degree in education from Northern Michigan University in 1975.  Phyllis worked as the Team Coordinator, for twenty-seven years, for the Charlevoix County Head Start Program.

  Phyllis was a member of the First Congregational Church in Charlevoix and the Charlevoix Garden Club

  She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, shopping, skiing and sailing.  Most of all, Phyllis enjoyed and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

  She is survived by her husband, John F.W. Hess of Charlevoix; three children, John T. Hess and his wife, Ellen, of Charlevoix, Erik M. Hess of Charlevoix and Elizabeth M. McLeod and her husband, Tom, of Grangeville, Idaho.  In addition, she is survived by daughters of Erik Hess, Isabel L. Hess and Lakyn R. Hess; daughter and son of Elizabeth, Ella H. McLeod and Cameron D. McLeod; daughters of John and Ellen, Isabella Roberts; a sister, Joan Hoover and her husband, Jack, of Aiken, South Carolina; and a sister-in-law, Judy Thomas of Saginaw. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Lowel M. “Tom” Thomas, Jr.

  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 5:00 P.M. at the First Congregational Church in Charlevoix with Pastor Neil H. Wilson officiating.

  Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the First Congregational Church in Charlevoix and Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. until service time.

  Memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Daggett.  The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.

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