Obituary of Phyllis Durniak
Phyllis Durniak, age 92, a longtime resident of Middlesex Borough, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 30. A true coal miner’s daughter, “Phyl” grew up in Frackville, PA, where she was salutorian of her high school class and captain of her undefeated women’s basketball team, the Wolfpack.
Phyl graduated from Ashland State Nursing School with an RN degree, migrated to New Jersey for employment, and celebrated a long career in nursing, finally retiring from the Lyons VA hospital after 25 years as a psych nurse, caring for “her 50 other boys” of Wing 56B.
Phyl loved her two sons, always attending their ball games and taking them fishing. She was also a great mom to all the lucky pups who found a home with her. Phyl loved the Jersey shore, walking and fishing the beaches of Sandy Hook and Seaside Park. She also enjoyed her “mental health days”with the same crew on their weekly bus rides to Atlantic City casinos.
Phyl was a friend to all residents in her home town, and a nurse to many neighbors who would call or stop by for medical advice (over a cup of coffee). Her humorous jokes and superb cooking and baking skills were also legendary in the community. Her Christmas cookies were highly coveted by all neighbors, especially the smaller hands that often snuck a cookie from the living room end table. Phyl’s medical expertise, selflessness, and unmatched compassion made Middlesex a better place to live.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, and sisters Delia and Betty. She is survived by her two sons, Jeff (Karen) of Cleveland, GA and Chris (Dale) of Chico, CA, special nieces Phyllis Dodd of Raleigh, NC, Linda Anthony of Frackville, PA, and nephew Paul Hutira of Frackville.
In classic Phyllis style, she requested no funeral. The kind staff of Middlesex Funeral Home is handling her private arrangements with her two sons. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Middlesex Borough Senior Services Center. (Middlesex Borough, attn: Older Americans Trust)
