Obituary of Phyllis Sweeney

Phyllis Jean Sweeney, daughter of Edward and Mary (McCroskey) Triplett, was born April 28, 1928 in Sutherland, Iowa. She Graduated from Sutherland High and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Phyllis taught elementary school in various communities for several years, although the school teacher in her was with her to the end. On August 9, 1948 she married Dr. Paul Sweeney at Sacred Heart in Sutherland, Iowa. In Hartley, Phyllis was active in Legion Auxiliary, Women’s Club and served as church organist. Phyllis also accompanied many a burgeoning musician on the piano for instrumental recitals and contests. After Paul’s retirement, they moved to their home at Lake Okoboji and spent winters in Tucson, Arizona. Phyllis continued her musical career as a tenor for the choir group, the Belle Tones. In 2002 Phyllis moved back to Hartley, which she considered Home. Phyllis was a ‘hostess with the mostess’ and could solve any problem with a little red lipstick. She loved music and was always up for a party. Her passion for great shoes has been passed on to her great granddaughter, Frankie, whom she loved to have over for dress-up and lunch-plate specials. Phyllis had her coffee times with “the girls” and loved to hear any news of Sutherland. She loved her grandkids and her friends. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Phillip Sweeney and his wife, Vicky and Patricia McCarty and her husband, Noel. She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Mary (McCarty) Mohni and her husband, Michael, Laura (McCarty) Colby and her husband, Erik, Molly McCarty, Seth McCarty, Andrew Sweeney, Dillon Sweeney and Logan Sweeney; and three great grandchildren: Frankie Mohni, Tullia and Amiah Colby; two sisters, Maxine Hall and Esther Petersen, and one brother, Merle Triplett and his wife Sandy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, two brothers Burdette McCroskey and Clare Triplett, and one sister, Darlene Cady. A Celebration of Life Phyllis Jean Sweeney Born ~ April 28, 1928 Died ~ October 2, 2011 Age ~ 83 years 5 months 4 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011 St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Fr. Tim Hogan Organist ~ Donna McCarty Guitarist ~ Phil Sweeney Special Music Duet ~ Mary Mohni & Molly McCarty “Amazing Grace” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “On Eagle’s Wings” Recessional ~ “How Great Thou Art” Readers Seth McCarty ~ Dillon Sweeney Honorary Pallbearers Tom Triplett Merle Triplett Seth McCarty Noel McCarty Andrew Sweeney Dillon Sweeney Logan Sweeney Ushers Terry Hilbert ~ Tim Hilbert