COOPERSTOWN – Phyllis M. Lippitt, a life-long area resident, entered into eternal life in the early morning hours of Monday, February 16, 2026, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. She was 84.
Born February 10, 1942, at the family home
in Richfield Springs, Phyllis was one of four daughters of Anthony J. and Rose
M. (Janiec) Serbanewicz.
Upon graduating from West Winfield High
School, Phyllis was employed in various places throughout the area, eventually
settling into a job as a secretary for Schlather & Birch.
Of the Episcopal faith, she was a member
of Christ Church, Cooperstown.
Phyllis took great pride in and enjoyed
keeping a cozy and comfortable home. Every day was laundry day!
Phyllis is survived by her husband of 39
years, Gregory K. Lippitt, whom she married on September 13, 1986, in a
ceremony at Christ Church, Cooperstown; two daughters from her previous
marriage to William (Bill) Wellner, Jr., Lisa Guardi and husband, Richard of
Cherry Valley and Kim Lee and husband, Gary of Hampstead, NC; two grandsons,
Ryan and Nick Lee; and a sister, Lucille Miller of Florida and a
brother-in-law, Thomas Petroff, Sr. of Cape Vincent and their families.
She is further survived by Greg’s sons,
Matthew Lippitt and wife, Lisa and their children, Hazel and Abe Lippitt and
Harold “Bud” Lippitt and wife, Nicole and their children, Marley, Emerson and
Thomas.
She was predeceased by her father,
Anthony, who died in 1974; her mother, Rose who died in 2013; two sisters,
Arlene Griffin who died in 2021, and Geraldine “Geri” Petroff who died in 2025;
and the father of her daughters, Bill, who died in 2016.
Phyllis’ family expresses their thanks and
appreciation to the staff at Valley Health Services in Herkimer for their kind,
compassionate and understanding care.
A celebration of life will be announced
and held later this Spring.
Memorial donations may be made to the
Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088
State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
