It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis ‘Phyl’ Dawn Quance on November 19, 2024, at the age of 95. She was born in Chicago on March 16, 1929 to Warren H. Quance and Margaret (Wilson) Quance. Phyl was a remarkably kind and generous woman; she was compassionate and loved freely. If you were blessed to have a hug from Phyl, you knew you were seen and cherished greatly. She adored dogs and had many throughout her long life.

Phyl was incredibly creative. Not only was she a talented pianist, who loved playing ragtime, she was also a very gifted artist and illustrator. Although not a professional artist, she loved putting her brush to canvas and gifted her loved ones with stunning pieces. Phyl was a natural beauty and had an elegant sense of style – even into her 90s she still wore her requisite scarfs, earrings, and bangles.

Phyl grew up in the Avalon Park neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. She was the eldest sibling to her sister Gayle (Quance) Ponche and James Quance. She married William Keith Waldron shortly after he returned from WWII and they had two daughters, Susan Waldron and Julie (Waldron) Uhler. While Phyl and William both went on to remarry, they remained in touch until William’s death in 1998. Phyl had a knack for making friends and remained close to many of her childhood friends – friendships ranging 60-80 years.

Phyl worked primarily as an administrative assistant during her life. Most notably, she worked for senior executives at Leo Burnett during the “Mad Men” period of the 1960s and for a state Senator in the Louisiana Senate in the 1980s. She also modeled during the 1960s and graced a few billboards and ads with her beauty.

In 1992, Phyl moved from Louisiana back to the suburbs of Chicago to be closer to her daughter, Julie, and her grandchildren. Her grandchildren adore her. She attended every softball game, dance recital, and school play. They remember their “grammy brown-eyes” with great love and know they were greatly loved in return. She truly left a legacy of love to all who were blessed to know her.

 She is survived by her brother, James Quance; her daughter, Julie (Waldron) Uhler; grandchildren, Casey Rivard, Jesse Rivard, and Margaret (Rivard) Coffey; and great-grandchildren, Taylor Cupit, Kyren Rivard, Justen Rivard, Tyson Rivard, and Noah Coffey. She is also survived by her third husband, John (divorced). She is preceded in death by her sister, Gayle (dec.); daughter, Susan (dec.); granddaughter, Jordan (dec.); her first husband, William (dec.); and her second husband, Robert (divorced; dec.)

A celebration of life will be held at Windridge Cemetery in Cary, IL at 11:30 am on Saturday, November 23, 2024.