Phyllis Truesdell Dozier, at 103 years and 11 months, passed away in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, July 23, 2026. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 1, 1922. She endured moving from her beloved state of Michigan at age 94 to be nearer to her children, and lived through having Covid during lockdown in her retirement community. She was known and loved in her residence, and always had a smile and kind words for her fellow residents and staff.

Phyllis knew loss at a young age. Her father, Dr. Clarence Elmer Truesdell died when Phyllis was nine years old. Soon after the death of her father, her mother, Arlene Beckwith, married Dr. Oscar Lamarche. Phyllis eventually worked at his medical office. Phyllis had two siblings. Her mother had a third child, Skippy, with Dr Lamarche. She often talked of Skippy, who died at the age of ten.

Phyllis lived in Detroit until she married. Phyllis Ann Truesdell and Daniel Preston Dozier II married on May 8, 1943. Phyllis and Preston remained married for 66 years. Interestingly, Phyllis had grown up one block away from her life-long husband, Daniel Preston Dozier II.

She loved living in Franklin, Michigan when she was married with young children. She enjoyed her vegetable garden and was interested in making healthy meals for her children. She was known to enjoy every holiday celebration with beautiful and creative table settings for her friends and tamily.

In her early life, she studied at Oakland Community College where she received an associates degree. This enabled her to work for the University of Michigan and the Federal Government. She worked several years traveling in Michigan to learn more about women’s health and with the Census. She was an early computer user and recorded interview questions. She loved working with all different kinds of people, cultures and interests.

Later, Phyllis and Preston moved closer to Birmingham, Michigan near Wing Lake with the idea that children and grandchildren would enjoy their visits.

Lake life continued when they built a retirement home in Northern Michigan, on North Lake Leelanau and moved up to the land of delight, for year round enjoyment. Phyllis had a beautiful garden, grew geraniums in flower boxes, and loved hosting her family and friends. She enjoyed her weekly knitting group of women; her hands were always busy, making sweaters and scarves. She loved the community of Leland, and played weekly bridge and enjoyed crosscountry skiing in the winter.

Phyllis and Preston loved traveling and spent many a winter month in warmer places visiting children and grandchildren and traveling with friends. At home she enjoyed making her famous pea soup and always had a pot ready when a traveler arrived. Phyllis loved being outside, and was instrumental in creating the Walkie Talkies, a weekly event for women with a motto that, “Neither rain, nor sleet nor snow shall keep me from my walk.”

Phyllis believed in participation in local politics. She started the first Chapter of the League of Women Voters in Leelanau County. She continued to attend every township meeting and was often the only guest in attendance.

She was preceded in death by her husband Preston, her siblings, Joan and Bob Truesdell and many friends met during her long life.

She is survived by her four children: Daniel Preston Dozier III, Nancy Dozier Radcliffe, John Thomas Dozier, and Barbara Dozier Peterson.

Phyllis is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Will Dozier, Becca Dozier, Daniel Dozier IV, Amy Byerle, Laurel Schwartz, Elizabeth Kelley and Wynn Peterson; and her nine greatgrandchildren: Andrew, Jillian, and James Byerle; Reegan, Eden, Brinley, and Piper Schwartz; Luke and Gracie Kelley.

Phyllis will be remembered with love by her family and friends.

A service will be held September 1st, 2026 at 11 am at Suttons Bay Congregational Church, 218 West Madison St. Suttons Bay, MI 49682.