Obituaries

Phyllis M. Lanshe, 83

April 13, 1941 - May 03, 2024

On Friday, May 3rd, 2024, the night sky shone a bit brighter as Phyllis Nicholas Lanshe, 83, passed away peacefully. She was a resident of Mt. Hope Retirement Community in Manheim, PA and a former resident of Lititz, PA and Easton, PA. The second of four daughters, Phyllis, was born on April 13, 1941, to the late E. Montford and Helen (Melchior) Nicholas.

Phyllis was a proud graduate of Palisades High School, Class of 1959, Kintnersville, PA. She then attended Churchman’s Business School in Easton, PA. Later, she began her career at Mack Printing also in Easton. Her career there spanned more than thirty-five years beginning as a clerk-typist and rising to become a camera operator before retiring in 2003.

Throughout her life, Phyllis enjoyed being a “country girl” no matter where she resided. Her love of the sun, farmland and the plants and animals that inhabited it were infamous. At various times in her life, she had many diverse interests: golf, “reading the paper,” volunteering at Gracedale, a 2003 6-cylinder Toyota Camry that flew, following Larry Holmes’s boxing career, watching “The Voice” to laugh with Blake Shelton, listening to Johnny Cash music, cigarettes and wine (definitely not in that order).

As Phyllis’s interests show us, she was a woman ahead of her time. Fiercely independent, she followed her interests and hobbies even if some of them raised eyebrows. Taking her daughter for motorcycle rides on her 1970’s era Honda was one of them! Strong and extremely patient in difficult times, Phyllis was a no-nonsense woman with a snarky sense of humor. Her positive attitude was an inspiration to all who knew her.

To know Phyllis was to know that she was dedicated to her family. Her memories of farm life with her parents, sisters and extended family and friends gave her great joy. Her love and pride in her daughter, son-in-law and their family was evident to anyone who ever spoke with her. It is that immense love that kept her walking, moving, and able to enjoy her time with her family despite health challenges.

Phyllis is survived by the joys of her life: daughter Sandra Vigilante and her husband Michael of Lititz, PA; grandson Alexander Vigilante and his wife Stephanie of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter Taylor Vigilante of Philadelphia; and great-granddaughter Sophia Vigilante of Charlotte, NC. Her husband, Val Lanshe, predeceased her in 2008. She is also survived by three sisters: Lois (Jim) Altemose of Bethlehem, PA; Kathy (Bruce) Kriebel of Mertztown, PA and Laura Nicholas (Jose) Sanchez of Camden, NJ. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the idyllic Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham, 821 Durham Road, Durham PA 18039 with the Reverend James Heckman officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 until the time of service. There will be no viewing and interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Since we are remembering and celebrating Phyllis’s independent spirit, her dedication to the countryside, and her life filled with immense love, please wear bright, happy colors to her service. (In true Phyllis style, she despised black…unless it was Johnny Cash wearing it).

The family would like to thank ALL staff at Mt. Hope Retirement Community in Manheim, PA for Phyllis’s personalized and specialized care for the last three years. It’s a small, faith-based community with a staff that truly cares for each resident and their family. Despite declining health, Phyllis thrived at Mt. Hope and considered it her home. Her family will always be grateful for that care and love. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Phyllis’s life by making a difference in the lives of others may contribute to Mt. Hope Retirement Community, Attn: Kris Wilson, 3026 Mt. Hope Home Road, Manheim, PA 17545. * Notation: Memory of Phyllis Lanshe.

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Condolences to the Family

June 09, 2024

Sandy, This is your mom’s former step-daughter-in-law (Bob’s Lanshe’s ex-wife). Your mom was the best MIL in the world. She always welcomed the rowdy Lanshes for the holidays and just sat back quietly loving them just the way they were. So very sorry for your loss. 😢 Christine Valenti

Visitation
Saturday, June 08, 2024
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham
821 Durham Road
Durham, PA 18039
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Services
Saturday, June 08, 2024
2:00 PM
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham
821 Durham Road
Durham, PA 18039
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
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