Death Notice: Phyllis Ann Konar Finn
Phyllis Ann Finn, 70, born in Stuttgart, Germany to Holocaust survivors Sam and Ida Konar, passed away Wednesday night at home. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Sidney, two daughters, Lisa Connor (Jeff) and Julie, her sister, Ellen Konar (Steve Goldband), brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews. Her parents and Holocaust victim, Penina, a half-sister, predeceased her.
Phyllis arrived with her parents in the United States at age 3 and obtained citizenship at 12 years of age. She grew up attending Rabbi Twerski’s shul, graduated from Hebrew High School and the public school system in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At 16, Phyllis started college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught in the Montgomery County Maryland and Madison, Wisconsin school systems and taught Jewish studies in Fargo North Dakota and Des Moines Iowa. Phyllis returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in Business Administration from Drake University. She proceeded to pass CPA exam. Phyllis worked for Beverly Enterprises auditing nursing homes and then for the State of Iowa Utilities Board specializing in telephone regulation. She finished her career as CFO at a local Des Moines company.
Her hobbies included learning, reading, bridge, mah jong, any card game, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, gardening, piano, needle point, refinishing furniture, painting, auctions, the slots and, of course, family and friends. Playing gin helped pass the time while receiving many hours of chemotherapy at the Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion.
Special thanks to Hospice Savannah, Buckingham South and those special individuals who supported the family through this experience with prayer and in deed.
Phyllis died, surrounded by her family, with unwavering faith in G-d and, as she had lived, with dignity and grace.
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