Phyllis Shenker

Madison, WI / Bronx, NY - Phyllis F. Shenker, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Wynwood West in Madison. She was born on June 15, 1927 to Hyman and Pauline Finkelstein in New York City, the youngest of five daughters. Phyllis grew up on Phelan Place in Bronx, New York. She was married to Joseph Shenker for 33 years, and they had two daughters, Robin Abbady and Kathy "Kate" Shenker-Powers, and raised their family in the Forest Hills community in New York. Phyllis had a great spirit, a winning smile, and a zest for life. She had a flare for fashion and a beautiful sense of style. Phyllis took pride in her home, was a wonderful homemaker, and had a love of fashion and home decor. She had a great love for the game of tennis. Phyllis had a history of fundraising for Jewish philanthropy. She was loving and generous to all she knew, and a wonderful and dedicated grandmother. Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Robin of Brooklyn, NY and Kate (Patrick Powers) of Madison, WI; her grandchildren, Aidan and Matt Powers; her sister, Sylvia Baer; and her loving nieces and nephews, Lauren (John) Veronis, Gloria (Marv) Schwartz, Randy (Clara) Baer, Jeff (Annie) Stein and Steve (Joyce) Bernfeld. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Rae, Molly and Rosalind; and her wonderful companion of many years, Leon Fagin. Graveside services will be held at Beth David Cemetery in New York. A memorial service will be held at Wynwood West in Madison at a later date. Memorials may be made to Temple Beth El Endowment Fund, 2702 Arbor Drive, Madison, WI 53711; or Jewish Social Services of Madison, 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719; or to Technion Institute in Haifa, Israel, www1.technion.ac.il/en. The family would like to say a special thank you to the wonderful staff of Wynwood West and the Amber Hospice Team for their extraordinary care and compassion.