Phyllis Lehr

Phyllis Lehr was a woman who knew the true value of hard work, and the good that comes from it. She was undaunted by any task, never focusing on how difficult it might be, only that it needed to be done. She was known for the gorgeously intricate tablecloths she crocheted, which gave us a glimpse into Phyllis' soul - full of hard work, love and beauty.

Phyllis was born May 24, 1915 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Isadore and Mary (Wilczewski) Soklowski. She was the fourth of nine children born to the Polish immigrants, who fled their homeland during World War I, and the first child they had on American soil. The family settled in on the West Side of Grand Rapids, near St. Adalberts Church, and later bought a home on the West Side at 856 Park Street NW. Of course, growing up, the family spoke both Polish and English in their home, and was very proud of their heritage.

The Park Street home was near Sacred Heart of Jesus Church were they all attended Sunday Mass, as well as where the children all attended school. It was also here that Phyllis was Baptized, received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Phyllis' father was a shoemaker by trade, a tireless worker, and applied that trade in his shop near their home his entire life.

Phyllis had her father's work ethic instilled in her at an early age, a work ethic she carried with her for her entire life. In those difficult days of the Great Depression, everyone had to do their part, so Phyllis quit school after the eighth grade to go to work and help the family. When she was a teenager, she took a job cleaning houses in East Grand Rapids. She was happy to help her family, even though it meant walking to and from work each day - four miles each way!

One day Phyllis met a man named Sam Mazie through a family friend. Sam was a tool and die maker, and the two fell in love. They were married in February 12, 1934 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, and moved into her parents' home for a short time after the wedding.

After renting an apartment above Joyce's Restaurant on Fulton Street NW, and later an apartment on Hanchett NW, the couple bought their first home, at 1049 Third Street NW.

They had three children together, with son James being born first in 1935. Fred followed not long after, in 1937, with son Paul completing the family in 1944, in the throes of World War II.

Those turbulent times were hard on the family, as Sam served in the military during the war. They even grew their own "Victory Garden" during the war.

The children all attended Stocking Elementary School and later Union High School. They enjoyed many family times together, including Sunday picnics and trips to Lake Michigan and Olen Lake nearby.

But in 1945, the marriage between Phyllis and Sam ended in divorce, making it very difficult for a newly-single mother of three. But Phyllis, being the tireless worker she was, always made do. She worked all her life, at Kelvanators, General Motors, Grand Rapids Brass, Buttercup Bakery and Hayes Body Shop. She was never afraid of hard work. She knew the value of it, and the good that came from it.

Three years after her divorce to Sam, she met a man named Weston Lehr, who happened to be the brother of her babysitter. The two hit it off, and dated awhile before being married.

Weston was a display manager and worked at Herpolsheimers Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids. They lived in their new home on McIntosh NW, which Wes designed himself, although it was hard for Phyllis to leave her first home! Wes was later promoted and was asked to transfer to Boston to work at Jordon Marsh, so they moved to the East Coast for three years. The children were all grown by now, so it was a good time to go for them. It also gave Phyllis ready access to her two favorite foods in the whole world - lobster and shrimp scampi!

Once they moved back to Grand Rapids, Wes and Phyllis bought and remodeled a home on Lafayette Ave. and the two picked up where they left off in West Michigan. They loved going out to eat together and visiting with friends. Duba's was their favorite Westside restaurant, and they would visit the Polish Falcons Hall on Fulton Street also. Phyllis enjoyed going out with Wes, and enjoyed a good Manhattan or a vodka martini occasionally, as well.

She also loved to cook, and made so many great Polish dishes from her heritage. She was a wonderful cook of Polish cuisine, from golumbki, kielbasa, kapusta and much more.

But Phyllis had many loves. Anyone who worked as hard as she did had to take time out to enjoy life, as well. She loved to read murder mysteries, especially Ellery Queen, Sherlock Holmes and Alfred Hitchcock, and enjoyed a good mystery on TV, as well. She loved to watch Diagnosis Murder, Magnum P.I., and for a good laugh, the Golden Girls.

And she loved to crochet. Perhaps it was the challenge, and the patience it took to create the magnificent table linens, doilies and quilts she made. Maybe it was just seeing all the beauty and good that comes from such hard work.

In 1995, Wes took ill, diagnosed with metastasis cancer, and passed away just five weeks later. After Wes' death, Phyllis became content to stay around the home, and have her family visit. She didn't care to go out and socialize as much with Wes gone, but she loved having her family visit. She loved spending time with her grandchildren in particular.

Last June, Phyllis suffered a fall, and needed rehabilitation. Her doctor advised her that she shouldn't live alone any longer, and her family moved her to the Covenant Village of the Great Lakes. Last week, Phyllis suffered a serious stroke, paralyzing her and preventing her from swallowing. Her family kept a constant vigil by her side, and was with her when she passed away Tuesday, October 25.

Phyllis was a hardworking woman, a loving mother, a devoted wife. She knew the value of hard work, and the good that came from it. Like those table linens she created, her life was full of hard work, patience, and beauty. She is gone now, but her memory, her beauty, and her example, live on in those that knew her.

Mrs. Phyllis J. Lehr, aged 90 of Grand Rapids , passed away on Tuesday afternoon, October 25, 2005 at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband Weston Lehr, 1 brother and 6 sisters. She is survived by her children, James and Phyllis Mazie, Fred Mazie, Paul and Rena Mazie; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Mazie; 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; her brother, Adolph (Jane) Sokolowski; her dear friend Charlotte Salis; many nieces, nephews and friends. Phyllis was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. (meet at church). Entombment will be in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Thursday October 27, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with the rosary prayed at 8 p.m. Please visit Phyllis's web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story and sign her guest book. Contributions in her memory to Hospice of Michigan would be appreciated. Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes.