Phyllis Portnoy passed away peacefully on Monday, March 12, 2018. She was born November 29, 1927 in Newark, NJ, graduated from Weequahic High School in 1944, married Philip Portnoy in 1948 and raised four sons in Union, NJ. Phyllis had a career as a registered nurse and then went back to school when her sons had finished high school and was awarded a Masters in Social Work with a focus on drug and alcohol counseling. Before her retirement she worked for the Union Township School System as a substance abuse and crisis intervention counselor.
Phil and Phyllis moved to Austin, Texas in 1991 and Phil passed away in 1994. Phyllis was active in the League of Women Voters, SAGE (Seminars for Adult Growth and Enrichment) education programs at the University of Texas and was a subscriber to the Austin Symphony. She loved to travel, eat in fine restaurants, listen to great jazz and dote on her pets. She was a highly intelligent woman, well read, with a kind heart. When she was still an able driver, she delivered Meals on Wheels and took non- drivers to their doctor appointments. For her recent 90th birthday her sons and all of her grandchildren came to Austin in celebration of her birthday and her life. It was a joyful time for all and Phyllis loved being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Phyllis Portnoy is survived by her four sons, Mark and his wife Karen of Nazareth, PA; Bob and his wife Debby of Lincoln, NE; Steve and his wife Carla of Austin, TX; and Dan and his wife Janet of New Rochelle, NY. Also by her grandchildren, Katherine, Meredith and Jack; Jarrett and Lan; Allison and Leah; and Dana and Brett. Phyllis was laid to rest next to her husband Phil in Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ. She will be missed.
