Phyllis R. Heldman

Boardman - Mrs. Phyllis R. Heldman, 94, of E. Western Reserve Road, died early Friday morning at her residence. Mrs. Heldman was born August 16, 1914 in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Walter James and Emily Exton Purnell. She came to Youngstown as a child and later resided in Austintown. A 1932 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, Mrs. Heldman received her nursing degree from the Youngstown Hospital School of Nursing in 1936 and was a Registered Nurse. After three years of private duty nursing, she devoted herself to her family. Mrs. Heldman was a 60 year member of the Miriam Chapter of the Eastern Star and the Youngstown Hospital Nurses Alumni Association. Active in the PTA, she served as president of the Fifth Street School PTA in Struthers. Later, she served as Trustee of the Struthers Community Chest, which later became part of the United Way. Mrs. Heldman also served on the board of directors for the Youngstown YWCA. She was a 70 year member of the Struthers Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Heldman enjoyed traveling, golf, reading, music, crosswords, and scrabble games. She leaves her husband of 71 years, Otis R. Heldman, whom she married August 28, 1937; two daughters, Rachel (Douglas) Duennes of Philadelphia, Pa. and Dr. Elizabeth Heldman with whom she made her home; four grandchildren, Atty. John Rego of Cleveland, Dr. James Rego of Claremont, CA., Phillip Duennes of Philadelphia, PA., and Amy (Joe) Heldman Tibert of Los Angeles, CA.; and three great-grandchildren, Emily and Bryan Rego of Cleveland, and Ethan Tibert of Los Angeles, CA. Besides her parents, Mrs. Heldman was preceded in death by her son, Otis R. Heldman, Jr.; grandson, Matthew Otis Heldman; one sister, Emily Knisely; and four brothers, Wilfred, Henry, Frederick and Walter Purnell. . Private funeral services will be held Monday, 1:00 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland. Family and friends may call one hour before the services. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Boardman. Contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .

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