Phyllis L. (Lis) Lester

On September 11, 2023 the world lost a beautiful lady Phyllis L. Lester, 87, of Columbia, CT. She was welcomed into eternal life surrounded by her loving family at home. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Phyllis was born in Willimantic, CT on August 3, 1936, to the late John and Eva (Marceau) Lis. She attended Saint Mary’s School where she was a Child of Mary. She graduated from Windham High School in 1954 with high academic honors where she was a four-year majorette and Junior prom queen. The summer before her sophomore year she met her sweetheart, John “Jack” Lester whom she married in 1956. Following graduation, she worked for Connecticut Light & Power for 6 years prior to starting their family. Once her children were full grown, Phyllis returned to work part time in retail at D&L and H L James where family teased that she never brought home a paycheck often using it to purchase clothes for her grandchildren. To her family, her greatest accomplishments were being a loving and devoted mother and enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In retirement, she and Jack spent 16 years wintering in Lehigh Acres, FL enjoying the warm sun. Phyllis had a passion for travel, and enjoyed many adventures across the Americas and Europe visiting four continents with her husband, family & friends with Paris, Alaska and three trips to Hawaii being her favorites. Phyllis was an avid reader and enjoyed dining out with family and friends, cooking, shopping, and watching old movies. She had a compassion and deep love for animals including feeding and watching the hummingbirds in her yard. As a member of the Red Hat Society, she looked forward to monthly luncheons with her friends.

A communicant of Saint Columba parish for 62 years she was a devout Catholic and attended both weekly and daily masses.

In addition to her loving husband Jack, Phyllis will be remembered every day and sorely missed by her children: Michael Lester & his wife Colleen, Nancy Clapp & her husband David, Suzanne Lester, Patrick Lester, and Amy Lester. Grandchildren: Katie Lester & her partner Joshua Frankel, Amanda Albert & her husband Andrew Albert, Ryan Lester & his partner Gillian Weeks, and Dr. Andrea Clapp & her husband Michael Daly. She was affectionately called Gamma by her great grandchildren of whom she loved beyond measure. Phyllis also leaves her sister Norma Keegan of Columbia, brother Dr. John Lis of Ithaca, NY, sister-in-law Susan Humes & her husband Brad of Willimantic, and their families. Phyllis was predeceased by her godson Thomas Keegan.

The Lester family would like to thank the staff at Saint Francis Hospital, especially nurse Keri Bova, and Beacon Hospice Care staff Emily, Heather, & Rosemarie for their compassion and support during this difficult time.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint Columba Catholic Church, 328 Route 87, Columbia, CT on Monday September 18th at 10 am. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery on Club Rd in Willimantic. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Saint Columba Church Lighting Fund. 

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