Phyllis Karel

Phyllis Karel was born in Brooklyn, New York, to her parents, Mollie and Sam Rusinowitz. She joined her older sister Shirley, and later welcomed her younger brother, Murray. When she was a toddler, her parents moved to Spring Valley, NY, where their extended, multigenerational family lived. She was an excellent student and, after graduating high school, got a job as a dental assistant, which inspired her pursuit of a professional career. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s dental hygiene program. After graduating, she started working as a dental hygienist in Montvale, New Jersey, and through that association, met Dr. Irving Karel, a periodontist who had recently established his periodontal practice in nearby Pearl River, New York. Phyllis and Irving were engaged after dating for 6 weeks, and married within a year, in October 1964. She was beloved by Irving’s parents, Joseph and Fannie, and his brother and sister, Milton and Elsie, and their spouses and children. Within 11 months, they welcomed their first child, Michele, into the world and, in short order, welcomed Jennifer, David, and Robert, all within 5 years. They had a warm and welcoming home in Spring Valley, NY. Phyllis had her hands full during those early years. In addition to raising four children, she became involved in managing the business of Irv’s practice and later joined as a dental hygienist. They were a great professional team. Phyllis was a devoted mother to her four kids – accepting of their individual strengths and quirks, sharing in their silliness and laughter, and always supportive of their endeavors. She hosted innumerable large family gatherings; joined Irv and neighbors to establish a small, local synagogue, Ramat Shalom; drove a Chevy suburban with a 27-foot trailer for family summer camping trips from Michigan to Maine, the Jersey Shore to Williamsburg Virginia, and lots of places in between; and created so many gorgeous sweaters, quilts, paintings, and other beautifully crafted gifts for family and friends over the years. Phyllis and Irv retired to Boca Raton, Florida at a fairly young age, and became active in their synagogue chavurah there, making good friends and inspiring Phyllis to study to become a Bat Mitzvah, which she did at the age of 61. After one too many hurricanes and the realization that three of their four kids and their growing families had moved to northern California, they relocated there in 2005, to be surrounded by family for many years. She treasured being part of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Phyllis again became active in a local synagogue, including a new chavurah, the hospitality committee, and the knitzvah committee, through which she made - and taught many other members to knit and quilt - blankets for people who were ill or welcoming a newborn into the world. While Phyllis struggled with chronic medical conditions and pain in later years, she continued to engage in creative pursuits, adapting to what she could comfortably create; for example, when she could no longer knit or quilt, she started painting. She continued to share her beautiful creations as gifts for family and friends. As Phyllis’ mobility and other functioning became more limited, Irving was her devoted caregiver. Near the end of her life, weakening after a surgical procedure, Phyllis continued to share her beautiful smile with all who loved her, and passed peacefully in her sleep, with Irving at her side. Phyllis will be forever loved and missed by her husband Irving, their children Michele (Mark Green), Jennifer (Joshua Makower), David (Wendie Karel), and Robert (Marni Karel), and their grandchildren Gabrielle, Jessica, and Joseph Makower; Natalie and Abigail Karel; and Jack and Ryan Karel, as well as by a large extended family and friends accumulated over many decades of her life.