Phyllis Starkel

Phyllis (Gibson) Starkel, of Columbia, was born December 9, 1934 in Willimantic to Alice Sullivan Gibson and Ralph Gibson and died May 2, 2012 with generations of her loving family by her side and is now at peace. Phyllis worked at the American Thread Company in Willimantic, 2nd shift in the admitting dept. of Windham Community Hospital, for Windham Surgical Group and until her retirement for Dr. Scott Berger as his office manager. Phyllis leaves behind her husband of 49 years Ernest Jay Starkel, her children - Wendy and Michael Gergler, Patricia and Michael Harbec, Shaun and Sonja Starkel, Michael Starkel, Peter and Paula Starkel; 12 grandchildren that were the light of her life - Scott and Amy Dunstan, Shane and Rebecca Dunstan, Caitlin Gergler, Brittany Harbec, Michaela Harbec, Zachary Harbec, Mason Starkel , Marissa Starkel, Molly Starkel and Emma Starkel; and 3 great grandchildren that were blessed to have their Great Gram - Madison, Ryan and Owen Dunstan. She is also survived by her brothers, Dr. Luther Gibson and Ralph Gibson and Luther's wife who was a sister to Phyllis, Joan Gibson; her cousins Susan Humes and Jack Lester; her very dear friend Sen. Edith Prague, her extensive family at the Columbia Fire Dept. and the Columbia Senior Center... she so loved you all; many cousins, nieces and nephews and a very large group of friends. Phyllis also leaves two special loves - her dogs Sullivan and Logan. Phyllis was a member of the Columbia Commission on Aging, Treasurer for the People for Prague, Matriarch of the Columbia Fire Dept., a life member of the Columbia Villagers, member of the Willimantic Irish American Club, Columbia's Democrat of the Year, Grand Marshall for the Columbia July 4th Parade. Phyllis so enjoyed her numerous trips with the entire family to Disney World and the very special "Sullivan Girl's" trip to Ireland which saw 4 generations from Phyllis to her great granddaughter Madison travel to Ireland. In honor of Phyllis' wishes, her family will host an Irish Celebration of her life May 12th 4:00pm at the Columbia Fire Dept. , Rte. 66, Columbia Center. Phyllis has a very special granddaughter that everyone knows - Molly, and so to know Gram is smiling we would ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Molly Starkel Trust Fund c/o Peter Starkel P.O. Box 911 Columbia CT. 06237. Molly and her Gram have a very special bond that will never end. The family would like to thank the rehabilitation staff at Woodlake at Tolland for taking such great care of Phyllis... you were all wonderful to Phyllis and her family. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .