Phyllis Elizabeth Styrzo died on April 17 at The Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. She was 79.
She was born on February 12, 1946, at Southampton Hospital to Arthur M. and Shirley A. (Fisher) Perry of Quogue.
She attended Quogue School from kindergarten through the sixth grade and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School. She then moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, to live with her aunt while attending nursing school. She became a licensed practical nurse, and upon returning to Long Island, she was employed at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead, and was later a home health aide.
In 1972, she married Louis W. Styrzo, whom she had met in Florida. The marriage took place at North Pole, Alaska, near where they were living in Fairbanks. A year later, she gave birth to her daughter Inda Maria at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. A few years later, the couple divorced.
She enjoyed being with people and helping them, and was a generous friend. Despite the fact that she worked many more years for the Internal Revenue Service as she did in her nursing profession, frequently, in her own words, her “nursey side” would come out.
She was a life-long member of the Westhampton Presbyterian Church and especially enjoyed singing in the choir with her sisters. In fact, singing was a lifelong pleasure for her, especially when singing for or with family. Family meant a great deal to her, and although she never got involved in genealogical research as her mother and sister Diane did, she relished hearing the stories of her ancestors.
She is survived by her grandson, Ricco P. Johnson of California; and her sister Diane F. Perry of Quogue. She was predeceased by her daughter Inda Maria Lawson; her sister Cynthia Ann Perry; and her parents and grandparents.
A memorial worship service to celebrate her life will take place on Friday, May 2, at 1 p.m. at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow in the church’s Community Memorial Garden, after which there will be a reception in the parish hall. All are encouraged to participate in either or both.
In lieu of flowers, a gift in her memory to the Westhampton Presbyterian Church’s memorial funds or to a charity of one’s choice is welcome.
The family extends thanks to Werner & Rothwell Funeral Home for their help with arrangements.
Staff Writer on Apr 22, 2025