Phyllis Marie (née Ramos) Piasecki entered into eternal life in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 14, 2023 following a hard-fought battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Born August 3, 1946 to Cristobal and Mary (Arias) Ramos, Phyllis quickly earned the nickname "Fuzzy" among her childhood friends, in reference to the perfectly coiffed black curls that became her trademark hairstyle over the years. After devoting her teenage years to an education focused on the mastery of secretarial and administrative duties, Phyllis graduated from Timken Vocational High School in 1964. Not long after this, she began work as a secretary for Attorney George Aman and as a bank teller at Citizens Savings Bank in downtown Canton; often holding two jobs to help contribute to her family's household income after her father's sudden death shortly after her high school graduation.

It was her work within the Social Security Administration office that led her to Illinois where, during a serendipitous training opportunity, she met her soulmate. On December 15, 1978, she married Steve Piasecki and relocated her life to the suburbs of Chicago. Their marriage united their strong ties to their European backgrounds: Spanish (hers) and Polish (his), which usually meant that their little house on West Ibsen Street was often filled with friends and family celebrating a Chicago Bears win, the milestone of a family member's Catholic sacrament, or an ordinary Sunday dinner with a spread of Polish and Spanish food.

Sadly, her time in Chicago was short-lived, as Steve passed away as the result of a massive heart attack on March 10, 1983. Widowed with a year-old baby in a city far away from the one she called home, Phyllis bravely made the decision to move back to Ohio so that she could raise her daughter in more familiar surroundings. From that point on, she threw herself into motherhood with a level of selflessness that is impossible to capture in words. The devotion and unconditional love Phyllis showed her daughter, Andrea, was extraordinary. Whether she was risking her own lung health by spray painting her daughter's tap shoes for an upcoming dance recital, signing her daughter out of school for special lunches at McDonald's, driving through a Level 3 snow storm so her daughter could see her favorite band in concert, or shuttling her daughter to St. Michael's Church every weekday morning at 6:00 a.m. for her altar server duties, Phyllis was and always will be the Ultimate Mom. She often said "your life is no longer your own after you have a child -- and if you're any kind of mother, you wouldn't have it any other way" -- and she absolutely lived by these words. Phyllis was born to be a mom, relished the role of Mom, and will live on forever in the loving example of motherhood she modeled for her daughter.

Welcoming her into eternal life were her cherished parents, adoring husband, beloved brother (John), baby sister (Isabel), and special canine companion, Lola. Heartbroken and left to cherish her memory forever are her daughter Andrea Piasecki Legg; son-in-law Josh Legg; and treasured grandson Donovan Stephen Legg. Phyllis is also survived by her nephews Chris (Lisa Berry) Ramos, David (Karen) Ramos, Steve (Julie) Ramos; niece Jennifer Reese (Gary); sister-in-law Sandra Ramos; and extended family including Dan and Gail Legg; Jason and DeAnna Legg (Jillian, Eowyn, and Leon), and Jenae Legg (Roscoe and Silas).

There will be no calling hours or public services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Rossi Family Funeral Home and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

You can celebrate Phyllis' indomitable spirit by watching a marathon of The Golden Girls, sending a hand-written letter to a friend (she had the most beautiful penmanship and was forever sending out cards), rescuing a Chihuahua, listening to Perry Como, or enjoying a glass of sangria – an indulgence that she would always tell the bartender she was too young for, even in her 70s.

In Phyllis' memory, donations may be made to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the place that, along with divine intervention, gave her grandson a chance at life.

ROSSI (330)492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com