Phyllis Horwitz

Phyllis Ruth Horwitz (neé Kaufman), 93 years old, beloved wife of Sanford, passed away
on June 22, 2024. After their first date at a UT basketball game, Sandy told his mother
that he met the girl he was going to marry. They were engaged three months later and
were married for nearly 72 years. They were partners and best friends who shared many
good times and much laughter throughout their life together.
Phyllis was a phenomenon. She was a kind, thoughtful and loving person. She was a
determined force of nature who believed that she could do anything. Intellectually
curious and a voracious reader, she was rarely without a book. Phyllis had a lifelong
love of learning and earned her bachelor’s in education from UT, while her children
were young. Phyllis taught herself how to use a computer at age 60 and throughout
her life she was involved in leadership roles at Temple Shomer Emunim, Jewish
Federation of Greater Toledo, Ottawa Hills Teacher/Parent Association, Planned
Parenthood, and the civil rights movement. She played Mah Jong since she was a
young girl and continued to play with lifelong friends. She loved knitting, embroidery,
sewing, tennis and calligraphy. She was a true lady.
Phyllis was known by many names: Fegy, The Fegs, Aunt Fegy and her “grandmother”
name, Bemmy. Phyllis derived her greatest pleasure from taking care of her family. She
took great pride and joy being with her children, grandchildren and great
granddaughter. Phyllis leaves behind her children Shelley Horwitz (Andrew Green),
Laurie Cohen (Sandy), Steve Horwitz (Denise) and grandchildren: Emily Cohen, Gabi
Paxton (Tyrell), Dr. Amy Horwitz (fiancé Sam Bernstein), Jess Connor (Ben) and one
great-grandchild, Ivy Paxton. Phyllis felt blessed that all four of her granddaughters
grew up in Toledo. She never missed a sporting event, school performance or recital.
Once her children were grown, she began working until her late eighties, alongside her
husband and son in the 120-year-old family business.
The funeral will take place at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 25th at Temple
Shomer Emunim. Interment will follow at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive guests at Temple from 1-3pm on
Tuesday and 6:30-8:30pm on Wednesday. May her memory be a blessing.

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