Phyllis L. Rohrlich

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Phyllis Lavelanet Rohrlich, 91, passed away peacefully at Menorah Park after a slow decline due to a longstanding heart condition. The daughter of Philip (Pinney) and Freda Klein, Phyllis was born March 18, 1929 in W. Hartford, CT and grew there with other members of a large, close-knit family nearby. She attended Wheaton College (MA) and graduated from Syracuse University. She later earned an MSW from S.U.
Phyllis was married young to Philip Ferro, M.D., then later married Raymond Lavelanet. After his death, she met Fritz Rohrlich, Ph.D., with whom she shared 25 years of marriage until his death in 2018. Their marriage was filled with international travel, classical music, art, loving family, and many friends.
Phyllis is survived by her brother Michael Klein, her 4 children: David (Janie) Ferro, Beth (David) Ferro Mitchell, Daniel (Kathy) Ferro, and Alain (Kelly) Lavelanet; her step-children: Richard (Daniela) Lavelanet, Emily (Alan) Rohrlich Graham; her 6 grandchildren: Ben (Katy) Mitchell, Rebecca Mitchell, Tim and Megan Ferro, and Paige and Colby Lavelanet; and her beloved nieces: Johanna, Martha and Emily Klein and their mother Karen. She was predeceased by her step-son Paul (Susan; Noah and Jordan) Rohrlich.
Phyllis practiced as a geriatric social worker for many years in the Boston area. After retiring, she moved back to Syracuse “to be a full-time grandmother” for her first 4 grandchildren. She also pursued her love of antiques, selling them in a group shop in Skaneateles.
Phyllis was first and foremost a believer in the importance of family. Part of an extended family that considers itself a ‘tribe’, Phyllis was an extraordinarily loving mother and grandmother: proud of everyone’s accomplishments and fiercely defensive of anyone’s criticism. Her children and grandchildren fondly recall helping her to bake cookies. Phyllis was a wonderful cook and loved entertaining. A generous and loving person and an amazing conversationalist, Phyllis always remembered everyone’s family and interests.
A memorial service will be held in the future, once the threat of COVID has receded. www.sisskindfuneralservice.com