Obituary: Phyllis Jane Sotis

By Observer Staff
| 10:34 a.m. August 19, 2015

West Orange Times & Observer
News

Phyllis Jane Sotis, 90, of Winter Garden, adored wife, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, friend and neighbor, arrived in heaven on Aug. 2, 2015. She departed peacefully at the home of Rick and Mia Sotis with her hand held by son, Rick and daughter-in-law, Mia, at her side.

Phyllis was born Oct. 16, 1924, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, and was predeceased by husband Jack Sotis, of Endicott; her parents, Cora Getz and Norman England; as well as eight siblings. Phyllis leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian church and a member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Gotha, Florida. She graduated from Sayre High School in 1942 and worked at Endicott Trust as a teller; she retired in 1986 after 20 years of service. She was a member of the American Legion Post 82 Auxiliary for 50-plus years in Endicott.

She had a long career in bowling and was a member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) for 60-plus years. She also served the bowling community by coaching for the junior leagues in New York and at Carter Family Bowl in Winter Garden, Florida.

There wasn’t anything athletic she couldn’t do, from water skiing, diving, walking on stilts, playing softball, bicycling and golf.

Her smile, laugh and energy were unmistakable and infectious. Her love of people, and especially children, were obvious. She never met a stranger and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She will be missed by all especially her son, Rick.

Funeral arrangements were done by Collison Carey Hand of Winter Garden, and this can be viewed at collisoncareyhand.com. A celebration to honor her life is planned for noon Aug. 22, at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1450 Citrus Oaks Blvd., Gotha, Florida 34734. Interment of ashes will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha, and the ceremony will return to the church fellowship hall for a reception for friends and family.

Flowers and plants should be sent to the church on the day of the celebration, or in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, donate.cshospice.org.