Phyllis Jean Toyra

MANISTIQUE, MI - Phyllis Jean Toyra, age 93, lifelong resident of Manistique, MI, passed away peacefully at Woodland Assisted Living on May 25, 2023. She was born on October 26, 1929, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Barnes) Toyra, in Detroit, MI. Her family relocated to Manistique in 1932 after which Phyllis was enrolled at St. Francis de Sales School through grade 8 and Manistique High School, graduating with the class of 1948. Phyllis initially, out of high school, started her career out as a legal secretary for the law office of Herbert, Wood, and Hood in Manistique, MI. After a number of successful years at the law office, she then decided to dedicate her life to teaching. Phyllis attended Northern Michigan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1958 and her master’s in education in 1968. In 1958 she began instructing at Mueller Twp and finished the vast majority of her teaching career (30+ yrs) at Lincoln Elementary as a 3rd grade teacher which was within the Manistique Area School (MAS) system. Phyllis cherished her time with family and friends, especially at her cabin on Indian Lake. She also loved to travel, with the highlight being that she was able to touch Pope John Paul II’s hand. She was also an avid follower of the various sports her extended family participated in, such as ice hockey, baseball, track, and swimming. She was a lifelong active member of St. Francis de Sales parish in Manistique serving as, amongst other things, a member of the Altar Society, the Bishop Baraga Society, and the Resurrection Choir. She was actively involved with the Manistique Women’s Club and a member of the MAS Retired School Personnel. Phyllis is survived by her niece, Dore (Michael) Shepard of St. Louis, MO; nephews, Patrick Theut of Manistique, MI; Joseph (Denise) Theut of Clinton Twp., MI; Ed Theut of Washington Twp., MI; great-nieces, Katie (Theut) Moe, Erin (Theut) Schoone, Kimberly Theut; great-nephews, Edd Theut, Eric Theut, Michael Shepard Jr., Joseph Theut Jr., and Jake Theut. She is further survived by numerous great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, cousins, and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Mary Toyra, sister, Dolores Theut; brother- in-law, James Theut, niece Kathie Theut, fiance, Howard Tennyson and a plethora of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be held at Fausett Family Funeral Homes on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM with prayer services held at 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Manistique on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Noon with Fr. Ben Paris officiating. Graveside services will be held immediately following mass, at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Phyllis’s name may be sent to St. Francis de Sales School at 210 Lake St. Manistique, MI, 49854. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Woodland Meadows Assisted Living, of Manistique, for the care they provided her during the final 8 years of her life. Phyllis would like to extend an invite to all of her students, that she taught during her career, to the wake and to the mass on Saturday.

MANISTIQUE, MI – Phyllis Jean Toyra, age 93, lifelong resident of Manistique, MI, passed away peacefully at Woodland Assisted Living on May 25, 2023.