Phyllis Lee Sonnenleiter

Phyllis Lee Sonnenleiter, 70, of Westminster, went home to the Lord on Saturday, January 9, 2021. She was the devoted wife of 46 years to Alan M. Sonnenleiter, the proud mother of two children, Todd (wife Jen) Sonnenleiter, and Lynn (husband Jonathan) Jore as well as a beloved “Grammie” and personal shopper for her five precious grandchildren: Haley, Maddie, Bridget, Lexie and Samuel.

Born September 30,1950 in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Cordelia Fellers Watson. Phyllis was known for her passion for education, people and faith. An avid life-long learner, Phyllis graduated from Glen Burnie High School (1968), Frostburg State College (1972), and later received her Masters degree from Loyola College of Maryland. She was a successful classroom teacher, Reading Resource teacher, Vice Principal, Principal at Taneytown and Spring Garden Elementary Schools, and an adjunct professor at McDaniel College.

Phyllis loved “making memories'' with her family and friends, and had an uncanny ability to connect with people and make them feel comfortable around her. She enjoyed any excuse to get together and celebrate with flair, finding fun and humor everywhere she went. She will be remembered for her “rose-colored glasses” and sheer determination to be optimistic in every circumstance. Known as a force to be reckoned with, she refused to be defined by the weight of the Parkinson’s disease she carried for the last 15 years of her life. Her deep faith in a good God produced a joy that overshadowed any burden that threatened to slow her down. She leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter, tall tales of culinary misadventures, and lots of diamond craft beads on the floor. 

After a beautiful, abundant life, a fight well fought, a race well run, Phyllis is home with her Savior resting in glory.

Due to Covid-19, Celebration of Life Services will be announced at a later date, to be held at LifePoint Church in Reisterstown.

Donations in Phyllis’ name can be made to: Young Life of Central Virginia- VA27, PO Box 3543, Lynchburg, VA 24503, (434) 665-3548, https://giving.younglife.org/cva, or The Westminster Rescue Mission, 658 Lucabaugh Mill Rd, Westminster, MD 21157, (410) 848-2222, https://addictionhealingctr.org/

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