Phyllis Latessa's Obituary
Phyllis A. Latessa, 56, was born on May 27, 1966, to Lawrence and Roberta Latessa. Phil was the first-born child named after her grandmother Phyllis. She preferred being called Phil as it matched her Tom Boy lifestyle. She was also known as Philzie by many.
Phil grew up in Bedford and attended St. Martin of Tours and Bedford High School. Her favorite subject was Physical Education, and she knew how to give the nuns a run for their money. She began her love for music when she picked up the guitar at Saturday guitar mass.
In high school, Phil was active in many sports, with softball being her favorite. One of Phil’s greatest passions was music. She was in the marching band, orchestra, and concert band. She received a full scholarship to Cleveland State University for music, hoping eventually to go into Music Education. She composed the recessional song for her grandfather’s funeral. Phil knew how to play the trumpet, trombone, tuba, French Horn, clarinet, guitar, banjo, piano, harp, and organ.
Phil adored her younger brother and sisters. She made sure they had plenty of love and laughter in their lives by taking them out for car rides and ice cream. When her medically fragile sister, Angela came home from the hospital, Phil made sure to feed her every two hours around the clock. As they grew up, Phil referred to herself and Angela as the bookends because they were the oldest and youngest. They were inseparable.
Phil was a second mother to all her nieces and nephews. They referred to her as the fun aunt. She was very supportive of all their activities. One of Phil’s favorite traditions was having her nieces and nephews spend the night on New Year’s Eve. They continued this tradition during high school and into college. Phil also had a great love for her fur babies and referred to herself as “Not the Mama”.
Phil explored many career paths after high school and excelled at every one. One of her greatest accomplishments during her tenure at Lowes was to take the struggling Lawn and Garden Department to number ten in the nation in sales.
Phil was loyal, dedicated, and always gave 110% in everything she did. She was a caring, loving, and patient person who always had a smile on her face.
Phyllis passed away on May 26, 2023. Beloved wife of Anne Hoff. Cherished sister of Katherine Latessa, Pamela Simone, Jacob Latessa, Rachel (Brian) Curtin, and Angela Latessa. Loving aunt of Gregory, Rachel Lynn, Glenn, Tyler, Amanda, Brandon, Samantha, Josh, George, and Jamie, and great-aunt of Tyler and Allister. Dear sister-in-law of Marie (Mike) Gibbons, Clarice (Kevin) Kelly, Elaine (Rich) Hoff, Aimee (George) Wright, and Elise Hoff. Phyllis was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Lawrence and Helen Latessa, and Robert and Phyllis Ricciardi, as well as her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Arlene Hoff.
Visitation is Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070, where the Celebration of Life will follow at 12:00 PM.
Link to View Webcast: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/88749/hash:3FB69952CF54287B
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following organizations:
Cleveland Animal Protective League
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/GeneralDon?code=Donate%20Now%20Drop%20Down
Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center
https://www.thecitymission.org/give/
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