Phyllis J. Diamond

Diamond Phyllis Diamond, a consummate volunteer with a lifetime of leadership positions, known for her positive outlook on life, sunny disposition, and generosity of time, died on September 15, 2026. She was 101 years old. Phyllis was born in Detroit in 1925, moving with her parents to Toledo in 1935 to be closer to family. Growing up in the Old West End, she attended Fulton Elementary and Scott High School. Her familial ties to Congregation B’nai Israel ran deep from an early age; her father served as President of the Men’s Club, and her mother lent her voice to the synagogue choir. After completing her sophomore year at the University of Toledo, Phyllis transferred to The Ohio State University. In November 1946, she married Joseph Diamond, son of Morris and Ida Diamond. The couple settled in Toledo, where they raised their two sons, David and Stuart. In time, her family grew to include Stuart’s wife Debbie and their daughter Ilana, both of whom Phyllis adored. Family remained a central pillar throughout Phyllis’s life. As an only child, she deeply valued her extended family and maintained close, lifelong bonds with her cousins. Her love for family was on full display in her home, which was filled with photo albums containing generations of shared memories. Phyllis also cared selflessly for both her mother and mother-in-law in their later years. “My mother was a compassionate and dedicated daughter and daughter-in-law,” said her son, David. “She tended to both my grandmothers as they lived well into their nineties.” In addition to being a devoted family anchor, Phyllis was an accomplished bowler who brought pride to the household. “What was remarkable to me was that my mother never practiced,” Stuart recalled. “She never picked up a bowling ball other than league play. And yet, our recreation room was lined with trophies for league championships and scoring titles.” After her first career as a dedicated stay-at-home mother, Phyllis began a second chapter at the University of Toledo, working in the Student Records Department. Around this time, she also took the reins of the Congregation B’nai Israel gift shop, an operation now proudly known as the Phyllis J. Diamond Judaica Gift Shop. Her granddaughter, Ilana, fondly recalled those days: “Visiting Grandma Phyllis at the gift shop around Hanukkah was always a highlight of my trips to Toledo. She would proudly show me how she carefully selected the perfect pieces for her congregants while helping me pick out a new dreidel for my collection.” Beyond her career and family, Phyllis dedicated vast amounts of time to her community. She served as president of both B’nai Brith Women and the B’nai Israel Sisterhood, and as an honorary trustee for life at B’nai Israel. Her profound dedication earned her the Sam Schwartz Minyan Award and special recognition from the United Jewish Council. Her altruism extended into the broader community as a Friendly Visitor for Jewish Family Service and a volunteer at the Toledo American Red Cross Blood Donation Center. Congregation B’nai Israel was a constant presence in her life, providing a true home away from home. “My mother seemed to volunteer for everything related to the synagogue,” said her son, Stuart. “Even when she had limited mobility, she attended daily services until she could no longer drive.” Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Joe in 1997. She is survived by her sons David and Stuart, along with Stuart’s wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Ilana (Michael Dahan), who carries on Phyllis's legacy of service and strength. “Phyllis’ ability to find the positive in every day will stay with me,” Debbie reflected. Her last words were “everyone has been so kind.”

Services and interment will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in Beth Shalom Cemetery, Oregon, Ohio. Rabbi Aaron Marsh and Cantor Ivor Lichterman will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis's memory can be made to Congregation B’nai Israel in honor of her lifelong commitment to community and compassion.

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