On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, Philomena "Phyllis" Rodier, loving mother, Nana, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, passed away at the age of 84. Phyllis was born March 27, 1938, in Pennsylvania to the late Sara and Nunzio Durso. The Durso family moved to Maple Shade, New Jersey where she and her two brothers, Vincent and Frank grew up. After graduating from Moorestown High School in 1956 she went on to work at the Hawaiian Cottage, modeled and competed in local beauty pageants. She married Richard Rodier in 1962. The family settled in Greenwood, IN in 1975 and she remained after her divorce in Greenwood raising her children Keith and Karen.
Phyllis worked at BAGI from 1996 to her retirement in 2008. She was a very strong leader in sales and marketing, with many event memories from Home a Rama and golf outings. Lifelong friendships were made during her years in sales that still remain today.
Phyllis enjoyed many world travels. In 2004 she set sail on the Queen Mary 2 for her maiden voyage, a dream come true for her. She loved beaches and found such contentment walking those she visited every morning treasure hunting for seashells to bring back for her grandchildren. The Jersey Shore was undoubtedly her most favorite place to visit. A summer gathering place that held treasured memories with her children, grandchildren and great granddaughter, sister in law from New York, and the entire Jersey crew of childhood friends, brothers and sister in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts, all of who lovingly called her Nina.
Phyllis was an incredible cook and dessert connoisseur. She was never known to follow a recipe as she would always say, a dash of this and a smidge of that. She was the dancing queen of any party. If there wasn't a dance floor available, a table would do. If she wasn't spending time with her family you could find her with her friend group, affectionately called the cluckers, the sum of 47 years of friendship spent laughing, reminiscing, and who have been known to be a little mischievous. Being a New Jersey Gal at heart, Phyllis fiercely loved her family and would never let a birthday go unrecognized. Despite the distance, she always stayed in close connection with her east coast family.
Phyllis was unwavering in her faith and modeled what it looked like to serve and be Christ's hands and feet. To know her was also to be known by her, which meant her love transcended past family ties. Phyllis was the matriarch, AKA The Queen, of her family and will be profoundly missed.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Sara and Nunzio Durso; and sister-in-law, Joanne Durso.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Keith Rodier, and Karen (Rick) Tracy; her grandchildren, Alexis (Jacob) Morris, Addison (Geoffrey) Jones, Bailey Clemenson; her great grandchild, Willow Morris; her siblings, Vincent Durso, and Frank (Nancy) Durso; and her sister-in-law Marilyn Alberici.
A visitation for Phyllis will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The memorial service will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The burial will immediately follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to any charity that serves and helps others just the way she did with great generosity