Phyllis Maud (Root) Frost Craig, 88, formerly of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Fairview Park, OH, and Grand Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully on Feb 13, 2016, of Alzheimer’s disease, at Brentwood Assisted Living Center in La Porte, IN, with her devoted and beloved husband at her side.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, William H. Craig, of La Porte, IN; children: William D. Frost, II, of Chicago, IL; Sylvia J. (Frost) Espinosa, of La Porte, IN; Philo T. (Karen) Frost, of Allendale, MI; Eric A. Frost, of Grand Rapids, MI; and Shelley H. Frost, of Northwood, NH; niece, Sandralee F. McCall, of the Sault, whom she helped to raise; ex-husband and father of her children, William D. (Elaine V. Snyder) Frost of Byron Center, MI, and Tucson, AZ; three sisters: Joyce E. Jones, of Toledo, OH, Maxine M. (William J.) Rex, of Myrtle Beach, SC, and E. Jean Rodgers, of Menominee, MI; sister-in-law, Carolyn G. Fornicola, of the Sault; nine grandchildren, 27 more nieces and nephews, and many great- and great-great-nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, aunt Maud Root, step-father Thomas J. Fornicola, Sr., brothers Robert E. Fornicola and Thomas J. Fornicola, Jr., sister Joan M. (Wolgast) Scott Moshier, nephews George W. Morgan, Donald E. Jones, Jr., Steven E. Jones, Jerry J. Scott, Ernest R. Judd, nieces Carole E. (McCall) Rienman and Nancy L. D. (McCall) Stevens., and close friend Bertha B. Hess.
Phyllis was born March 23, 1927, in Saginaw, MI, to Philo and Bernice (Willis) Root. After his death, and her mother’s remarriage, she was raised by his eldest sister, Maud Root, in the Sault. Phyllis grew up in the business of fine lady’s clothing at The HUB , from which her aunt eventually retired as the store’s buyer. Phyllis learned to play the piano well, graduated from Sault High School in 1945, and completed her freshman year at Graceland College in Lamoni, IA.
She was married to William D. Frost from 1948-1968. While raising their five children and his teenage niece, Phyllis administered the Sault office of Frost Moving & Storage in his frequent absences on business. She also handled their finances, her Aunt Maud’s health and finances, served on the hospital auxiliary, and played the piano for church.
After 1966, Phyllis worked at Lake Superior State College and Michigan Bell Telephone Co. She and Bill Craig were wed Feb. 15, 1975; they remained happily married until she passed, two days short of their 41st anniversary. An extremely organized person, Phyllis managed their finances, continued her volunteer work, joined him for trips on the Great Lakes ships where he worked, and often traveled many hours to meet him as his ship came into port. When they lived in Cleveland, OH, she found work with Capitol American Insurance Company. Over fifteen years, she managed the affairs of her husband’s elderly aunt, father, and mother.
Phyllis was an immaculate housekeeper and a gardener. A life-long member of her church, the Community of Christ, she was also for life an associate member of the War Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in the Sault, which she served actively for twenty years.
An excellent Scrabble player, she was intelligent and articulate, with a good command of written and spoken English. She is remembered by all who knew her for her upbeat nature, ready natural ability to put others at ease, good sense of humor, beauty, sociability, refined manners, erect bearing, fine singing voice, and sense of style in her dress. She was fun to be around.
A celebration of life service will be held later, (date to be announced), at the Community of Christ, Northview Congregation, in Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Southern Care Hospice, 1626 E Day Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545.