Phyllis Marie Sammon, 84, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

Phyllis was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Northfield, Minnesota, the daughter of Lester Calvin and Geraldine Marie (Houston) Whitney. She attended school in Northfield, Faribault, Minnesota, and Washburn High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She continued her education at Mankato State and the University of Minnesota. She married Eugene Sammon on Oct. 1, 1955, in Faribault, and together they raised four children while enjoying over 60 years of marriage.

Phyllis was the consummate homemaker. She loved planning and organizing, cooking and baking, cleaning (yes!), and hosting family and friends. She gave generously of her time and talent, whether a neighbor in need or a community organization – St. Edwards Catholic Church, American Cancer Society, League of Women Voters. From trips abroad to the cherished annual family summer vacation to Big Sand Lake in northern Minnesota, she enjoyed traveling, cruising oceans and rivers, and also enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, and water aerobics. Phyllis found joy in the fresh air and the outdoors with fall leaf trips, relaxing on her deck, and attending to her plants and flowers. Her last year was a testament to her strong will and love of family. She surpassed all expectations by living to see the birth of her two great-granddaughters (Blakely Marie and Lucy Marie) and gave her family the gift of her love and presence for over a year after her acute leukemia diagnosis.

Left to treasure the memories are her son, Gary (Sharon) Sammon of Laguna Niguel, California, and their children, Corey and Catherine Sammon; daughter, LeeAnn (Jeff) Ettinger of Austin, and their children, Riley Ettinger, Ellen (Phil) Egelston and Lucy, Jay Ettinger and Betsy Ettinger; daughter, Wendy McKean and Jon Mahoney of Rochester, Minnesota, and her children, Cole McKean (fiancée Jessica Schumacher) and Kayla (Dustin) Thompson and Blakely; son, Gregg Sammon of Austin; sister, Lora Lee Corbin of Pensacola, Florida; sister-in-law, Gayle Whitney; brother-in-law, Gordon Hunt; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, on Feb. 25, 2017; her parents, Les and Geri; her brother, Kirk Whitney; and her sister-in-law, Eileen Hunt.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, at St. Edwards Catholic Church with Father James Steffes and Deacon John Kluczny officiating. Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Austin. If you wish to honor Phyllis’ memory, you may select your favorite charity, or the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.