Phyllis H. Rooney Obituary

Phyllis H. Rooney was faculty at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, FL. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Phyllis H. Rooney.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Oct 22, 2009
About	Phyllis H. Rooney passed away peacefully on October 22, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. Phyllis was born on July 12, 1919. She was a very loving, giving, and accepting mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Phyllis was born in Freeport, IL. She liked to say that she was a PK (a preacher's kid). Her father was a Methodist minister in the Illinois conference and the family enjoyed living in many communities. In 1942, Phyllis graduated from the University of Northern Illinois and became a Teacher/Principal. In 1943 she moved to the Daytona Beach area and taught English, Speech and Dramatic Arts at the original Mainland High School. She is still adored by her students and enjoyed attending reunions for the class of '46. She moved to Jacksonville in 1949 and taught in the Special Education field. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Florida in 1966. She served as the director of Instruction for the Special Education in Duval County until her retirement in 1979. She served as an Adjunct Professor at University of N. Florida, University of Florida and Jacksonville University. Phyllis was a member of many educational and political organizations. She was a member of AAUW, Delta Kappa Gamma and active in area Democratic clubs. She was active in the Methodist Church her whole life. Phyllis was a member of Arlington United Methodist Church, Jacksonville Beach United Methodist Church and her beloved Flagler Beach United Methodist Church. She served as a certified lay leader and enjoyed supporting the ministers whenever asked. Her retirement years were full of family, travel, golf, bridge, canasta and corresponding with family and friends. She enjoyed the Betty Steflek Nature walk and walked a mile a day until she broke her ankle in 2009. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rev. Reynold and Virgil Hoover and siblings, Ruth Munro, Doris Balbach and Bill Hoover. She is survived by daughters, Marda Lee Roberts of Yankeetown and Jill Rooney-Dietz; and son-in-law, Peter Dietz of Nevada City, California; grandchildren, Jim and Stephen Roberts and Rebekah and Sierrah Dietz; great granddaughter, Ayla Roberts; brother-in-law, Carson Balbach; and sister-in-law, Mary Hoover. In her last days, the family was held by the angels from Hospice. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to Hospice of Citrus County, 16 N.E. 5th Street, Crystal River, FL 34429. A celebration of Phyllis' life will be held on March 30, 2010 at 3:00 pm at the Flagler Beach United Methodist Church. For on-line condolences go to: www.craigflagler palms.com, "On-Line Obituaries". Arrangements are in the care and trust of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.