Phyllis Elaine Dickerson

PHYLLIS Elaine Dickerson RANKIN DONOGHUE, 77, of Cadiz, Ohio died Saturday, June 2 in Rochester, NY while being cared for by her daughters, their families and friends during her lengthy battle with cancer.

Phyllis was born Dec. 10, 1929 in Cadiz OH, the eldest child and only daughter of John (Jack) Dickerson and Marjorie Dunlap Dickerson, both deceased. She is a granddaughter of Nettie Dunlap, a well-known Harrison County centenarian. Phyllis was predeceased by her first husband and father of her children, J Fred Rankin in 1986 and by her second husband, Thomas J Donoghue in 2006; and by brothers, Richard Dickerson and Frank Dickerson.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Louise (Mrs. Allan) Foster of Lisbon, OH; Elaine (Mrs. David) Harris of Rochester NY and grandchildren, Rachel Foster and Daniel (and wife, Abigail) Foster, all of Lisbon, OH; brothers, Ronald (Barbara) Dickerson, Larry (Wanda) Dickerson.

Phyllis was a strong partner to her husband, Fred, in a Jersey dairy business. Family moments were music-focused, with Phyllis at the piano, Fred on baritone and their daughters learning trumpet, slide trombone, accordion and piano. Vocal music was in four-part harmony.

She was a member of the Cadiz, OH Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. She taught her daughters to appreciate God's creations, to lovingly show concern for others and to share generously. Her loyalty to her religious beliefs was evidenced by her commitment to many years of teaching the Bible in the community. She traveled annually with her family to Watchtower Conventions throughout the US and Canada, from 1952 through the Spring of 2007. She also traveled to Poland, the former Soviet Union, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia for fellowship with Jehovah's Witnesses.