Phyllis Jeanette Racz

Phyllis Jeanette Racz passed away on May 16, 2023. She was 94. Phyllis was born on August 22, 1928, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her parents were the late Constance Bruce Ahlstrom and Harvey Ahlstrom. She graduated with the class of 1945 from Harvey High in Painesville Ohio, where she was a cheerleader. In 1947, she married Eugene Bell, and together they had two children, daughter Debbie (1950) and son, George (1951). Phyllis later married Edmund E. Racz “Smudge” in 1961. She was his office manager while he owned and operated 3 businesses’ milk transport, Caroline Acers Mobile Home Park, and Racz Refuse. In the mid-1980’s Smudge decided to retire, and they moved from Henderson to Dover, DE, where Phyllis found her “dream” house in Fox Hall. Then she and her hubby bought a huge motor bus and traveled the country together, they enjoyed sightseeing and visiting national monuments. Twice they visited Hungary to visit Smudges relatives and tour the countryside. When not traveling she enjoyed playing the organ and weekly card games with family and friends at her home. Over several years Phyllis attended antique doll auctions, after purchasing them she displayed them in her “doll room”. Another passion of hers was collecting cranberry glass and carnival glass. Phyllis stayed busy and lived her life with purpose and pleasure. In June of 1996, Mr. Racz passed away. Phyllis continued to keep busy. She joined a few senior centers and the Camden and Harrington Moose Lodge. She purchased a “beach getaway” home in 1998 in Long Neck, DE. Phyllis enjoyed holding her family get-togethers and crab feasts there. She could easily be found at local venues dancing to live bands on most weekends. Her favorite tune was “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. The song lyrics very much summed up the life she lived, over 94 years of sorrow and happiness. In her later years, she spent many hours cross-stitching and creating beautiful quilts. On Christmas of 2022, she gifted each great grands couple a “memory quilt”. Phyllis lived a very full life and did it “her way”. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Bishop with who she resided in Henderson; Brothers, Bruce Enslen (Jean) of Felton, and Larry of Portales, New Mexico; Grandson George Marshall of Denton; Great grand-children Brittany Gross (Cody) of Denton, Brook Bishop (Johnny Christenson) of Greensboro, Richard Harris III (Emmy Lynch) of Greensboro, and Peyton Marshall of Rhodesdale; Great-great grandchildren, Waylon, Lyle, and Cohen Gross, Blake Christenson, Kinsley Harris and soon to be born, Johnny Christenson, Jr; Daughter-in-law, Tony Bell and special niece Pat Shufelt. She was predeceased by her husband, Edmund Racz; her parents Constance and Harvey as well as her stepfather, George Enslen; Granddaughter Jennifer Bell; Great-grandson Rodney Bell; brothers Harvey Ahlstrom and Bert Enslen; sons Michael Eugen Bell (infant) and George Bell; Best friends Gladys Sipple and “Abbey” her boston terrier. A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers she had, Terri, Gail, Pie and Joy. Donations in her memory should be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA in Dover DE, checks can be mailed to 1212 Phoenixville, West Chester, PA 19380.

Phyllis Jeanette Racz

August 22, 1928 - May 16, 2023