Phyllis A. Mikity

Phyllis Ann Mikity, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She was 94 years old, surrounded by the love of her family and friends in her final moments.

Born on March 16, 1931, in Peoria, Illinois, and raised in Arthur, Illinois, Phyllis devoted her life to family, service, creativity, and learning. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, earning her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Her career began in San Francisco, where she worked at leading hospitals including the University of California San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) and Kaiser

Permanente in both San Francisco and Oakland. She later continued her work at the prestigious Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

In 1959, Phyllis met the love of her life, Emil J. “Mick” Mikity, in San Francisco. They married that same year in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and went on to share 66 years of love, partnership, and devotion. Together they built a home filled with creative expression, warmth, and opportunity, raising four children: John, Janette, Marc, and Charles. The family eventually settled in Wilmington, Delaware, where they lived for more than five decades before moving to Kendal at Longwood in 2020.

Phyllis was the heart of her home and the steady anchor of her family. Affectionately known as “Mrs. Mick” to her children’s friends, she poured her energy into cooking, baking, gardening, cheering at her children’s many school concerts and sporting events, and creating a lively, welcoming home that fostered friendship and community.

Her passion for artisan craftsmanship inspired her to discover one-of-a-kind fabrics, yarns, ceramics, woodworks, and jewelry for her creative pursuits. She was a master knitter, seamstress, and home decorator—making her own clothes and drapes, reupholstering cushions, wallpapering, and painting the family home. Her background as a dietitian enriched family life in countless ways, from wholesome home-cooked meals to fresh-baked bread, bran muffins, and cookies. These treats were enjoyed not only by her family but also by her children’s friends and classmates at Tatnall School, where she regularly volunteered to teach creative cooking, bread baking, and food science workshops.

A woman of many talents, Phyllis created hundreds of hand-knit sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, and garments—each stitch a testament to her care and creativity, personalized for its recipient.

She was a devoted member of the Green Mountain Knitting Guild and a cherished friend of the Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney, Vermont, where she found both community and inspiration.

After the heartbreaking loss of her son Marc in 1983, Phyllis channeled her grief into meaningful advocacy. She became a tireless trailblazer and champion for youth mental health in Delaware, leading suicide prevention initiatives that helped reduce stigma and provide crucial resources to families and young people. Her work left a lasting legacy of compassion and awareness in her community.

Phyllis had a deep love for the natural world—a passion she shared with her family and nurtured throughout her life, beginning with frequent visits to Yosemite National Park during her years in California. She was a devoted supporter of the Ashland Nature Center, part of the Delaware Nature Society, where her son Marc was a Junior Naturalist and her daughter Janette taught.

Through Marc’s involvement, Phyllis became deeply connected to the Center’s mission, volunteering for fundraisers such as the annual native plant sale and fostering a lifelong respect for the environment in her children. She and Mick also traveled extensively with the Delaware Nature Society, exploring places such as Costa Rica, Belize, New Zealand, and Alaska. Phyllis found joy in birdwatching, tending her garden, and participating in nature walks—passing on a legacy of wonder and appreciation for the outdoors to her children and granddaughter.

Phyllis gave generously of her time and heart to many organizations, including the Tatnall Home and School Association, the American Field Service (AFS) exchange program, the Delaware Nature Society, the Mental Health Association in Delaware, Longwood Gardens, and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Notably, she organized and managed an annual “orange and grapefruit” fundraiser for the Tatnall Special Performance Group (SPG) and the Tatnall and Brandywine AFS chapters, raising thousands of dollars for these programs.

Phyllis was also an avid reader of mysteries, a puzzle solver, and a music lover, always nurturing her sense of wonder and curiosity. She faithfully supported her children’s and granddaughter’s musical and creative pursuits, taking great joy and pride in their accomplishments.

At Kendal at Longwood, Phyllis was a beloved member of the community, known for her kind, infectious smile, warmth, and witty comebacks. She participated in knitting and pottery classes and served for a time on the Culinary Committee. She especially enjoyed delicious soups and fine wine with her family during their visits to her and Mick’s cottage.

Phyllis is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Emil J. “Mick” Mikity; her children John of Morrison, CO, Janette (Doug Polanski) of Breckenridge, CO, and Chuck of Goddard, KS; her beloved granddaughter Maya of Kansas City, MO; and a wide circle of family and friends whose lives she touched. She was predeceased by her son Marc, brother David Wise, and parents Lucian and Clara Powell Wise.

Phyllis will be remembered for her kind heart, creativity, resilience, and enduring love. Behind her sweet demeanor was a deep Midwestern strength, sensibility, and resolve—and always a glint of mischief. She leaves behind not only a beautiful family bound by her devotion but also a legacy of compassion, joy, and quiet strength of spirit.

May Phyllis rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life honoring Phyllis’s life and spirit will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashland Nature Center of the Delaware Nature Society, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE 19707, or online at: https://14360.blackbaudhosting.com/14360/General-Operating