Phyllis Anne (Collins) Cimaglio

Phyllis Anne Cimaglio (nee Collins) was born on April 3rd, 1945, and went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 24th, 2023, after bravely battling ALS for just over a year.  Phyllis was born in Lebanon, Indiana and lived there until she went to college at Miami University in Oxford, OH.   While at Miami, she studied Elementary Education and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.   Upon graduation, Phyllis then moved to Columbus, OH to teach 3rd grade in Worthington, Ohio.   It was there that she was introduced to the love of her life, “Ronny”, to whom she was married for 53 years.   Phyllis and Ron lived in Columbus for one more year while he finished dental school and then moved to Virginia Beach, VA while Ron served in the United States Navy Dental Corp.   While in Virginia Beach, she again taught 3rd grade for 2 years at Little Creek Elementary School.   When Ron completed his Naval service, they moved back to the Cleveland area and settled in Chesterland, Ohio where they raised their family and lived for 31 years.  

Phyllis was a home maker for 20 years, raising her son, Tony and her daughter, Betsy.   When her children were grown, she was again drawn to a career in education, where she worked in the West Geauga High School library and served as a Student Council Advisor, Cheerleading Coach and a surrogate parent to any student that needed her.   Ron and Phyllis moved to Concord Township in 2005.   Upon retirement, she spent countless hours volunteering with her beloved dogs, helping form a therapy dog program at the Cleveland Clinic and training and testing therapy dogs for certification.   She, along with her dogs, brought joy to many at both the children’s hospital, several nursing home facilities, and schools for special needs children.    Phyllis was an avid Cleveland Indians fan, having season tickets for 30 years.  She loved going to the ballpark and sharing the experience with her friends and family.   

She loved many things, but there was no greater joy in her life than her beloved grandchildren.   She created lasting memories with them and will be so greatly missed.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, J. Merritt and Anna Alice Collins (nee Gibbs), her in-laws, Michael and Angela Cimaglio (nee Manini), and her niece, Lynn Cimaglio Bender. 

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dr. Ronald A. Cimaglio, her son,Tony (Michelle), her daughter, Betsy (Fred), her grandchildren, Sage and Ruby Cimaglio, and Alex and Emma Johnson, her brother, Stan (Judy) Collins, her niece, Jill (John) Voris and nephew, Jason Collins.   She is also survived by her dear great nieces and nephews, Brett (Donna) and Brooke Bender, Chad (Stephanie) Voris, Brittany (Mike) Medeiros, and Blake (Carly) Voris and countless dear, life-long friends.  And lastly, she is survived by her beloved dogs, Sunshine and Bozeman.  

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of her life will be held 2:00 PM Friday June 2, 2023 at St Gabriel Church 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd, Concord, OH 44077.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Rescue Village at www.rescuevillage.org.  

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