Phyllis Mackey

Phyllis Jean Mackey, 91, passed from this world surrounded by family and hearing the old gospel hymns she knew so well and loved so much.

The first of six children born to Burt and Thelma (Phelps) Sieffert of Sittsville, MI. She was a life-long resident of Kingsley, MI and graduated Kingsley High School in 1947. She met the love of her life, Durwin Ellsworth Mackey and wed him on April 19, 1948.

Phyllis and Durwin lovingly raised two daughters, Gwendolyn Ann and Marsha Lou. To say that Phyllis was a homemaker is to understate her role in the lives of dozens of family members and friends. She was the surrogate mother, “Nana,” for nieces and nephews and grandchildren and their next generations as well as family friends. Phyllis always had a special place in her heart for children. Their open home on Blair Street was the central meeting place for generations of their Kingsley extended families. The “Picture Tree” in the front yard is easily the most photographed in the family with Phyllis and Durwin standing proudly surrounded by dozens on multiple annual picnic events over the decades.

Phyllis was a God-loving woman of great faith. She was a lifelong member of the Kingsley United Methodist Church and The Rebekahs.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, sister Beverly, daughter Gwendolyn A. Gehrcke and husband Durwin. She is survived by daughter and son Marsha and Robert Wasielewski; grandchildren, Christopher, Melissa (Brent), Adam, A. J. and Audrey (Andrew); great granddaughters, Jada and Eleanor and great-great grandson Noah; siblings Halcyone, Ardella, Bill (and Carol) and Alice (Phil); brother-in-law, Wayne, nieces Jill (Harry) and Joni, nephew Jeff (Nancy) and nieces and nephews too numerous to include.

A celebration of Phyllis's life will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in

Kingsley.

Memorials may be directed to Kingsley United Methodist Church or Hospice of Michigan. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.