Phyllis M. Siracuse

She was born February 6,1928 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Dominick and Grace (Ricotta) Crino. She was the eldest of her six siblings.

A lifelong resident of the area, Phyllis was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1945. She was a devout Catholic and member of Holy Trinity parish throughout her lifetime. She held various offices within the Blessed Sacrament Society and strongly believed in the value of a Catholic education for her family. She was a devoted volunteer for the parish school’s fundraising events for over 20 years. Phyllis was also a member of the Carl-Vincent Club and its auxiliary.

Faith and family were her constant priorities. She loved nothing more than cooking for family gatherings, having a house full of visitors, and talking to her family and friends on the phone. She was an avid Wheel of Fortune watcher, almost always guessing the puzzle before the contestants on the show, and she loved doing her word searches, not wanting to go to bed if the one she was working on was incomplete. She was deeply loved and will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include three daughters, Gracia Dimmer of Dunkirk, LuAnne (Jay) Gilman of Collierville, TN, and Susan (Mike) Colston of Fredonia; three sons, Anthony G. (Bonnie) Siracuse of Van Alstyne, TX, Dominick J. (Debra) Siracuse of West Palm Beach, FL, and Joseph S. (Susan) Siracuse II of Dunkirk; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph S. Siracuse, whom she was married to for over 60 years; one son, Richard Siracuse; two brothers, Dominick A. Crino, and Samuel J. Crino; and four sisters, Frances “Fran” Granata, Lucille “Lou” Newell, Elizabeth “Butch” Miller, and Stella Bozella.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.