Phyllis Annette Simon

YOUNGSTOWN - Phyllis Annette Simon, 90, of the city’s west side, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by the love of her family.

Phyllis was born Feb. 26, 1935, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John and Filomena (DeMichele) Desimone and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1953 graduate of East High School and worked at Aerorad Corporation, GE Lamp Plant and McCrory's Five and Dime. Phyllis met the love of her life at Idora Park where they both worked at one time, and they were married in 1957 after he returned from military service. While caring for her children, Phyllis found joy working outside the home by catering weddings with her mother-in-law, Kathryn Simon, selling wedding invitations and delivering CCS papers and phone books.

As her children got older, Phyllis went to work at Altronic Inc. in Girard, where she was employed as a solderer for 20 years, retiring at the age of 62.

She was a member of St. Brendan Church and a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church in Youngstown.

Phyllis was a great cook, and was still cooking well into her 80s, including big holiday dinners. Sunday mornings were filled with the scent of homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs in anticipation of dinner with family. For extended family gatherings, she made her "famous" eggplant casserole. Phyllis also loved baking Christmas cookies.

She was an avid supporter of the local pet charity, Friends of Fido, and attended many of their fundraisers. She especially loved homemade treats, such as jams and bread from the local crafters she found at their events.

Phyllis had an infectious personality and always had a crowd around her. She cared deeply for her children, supporting them as a brownie troop leader and volunteering for school events, field trips and sporting events. She enjoyed sewing, especially making Halloween costumes for her granddaughter, reading, doing daily crosswords and word search puzzles, and cheering on her favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

A gadabout woman, she also enjoyed trips to the casino, traveling and shopping. In her younger years, she loved dancing and roller skating, and she and her twin sister Flo were high school majorettes.

Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory her five children, Ronald Simon of Youngstown, Marlene Simon, Carol Simon-Franklin of Youngstown, Patricia Simon of Youngstown, and Susan (Roy) Guy of Stow; a granddaughter, Kristen “Kree” Franklin of Cincinnati; her identical twin sister, Flo Struharik of Columbiana; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Her husband of nearly 41 years, Robert “Sonny” Simon, passed away June 23, 1998.

Phyllis was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Phyllis; her siblings, Lillian Desimone, Carmel Jacobs, Patsy Desimone, Joseph Desimone, Mary Grace Mamone, Eugene Desimone, and William Desimone, and two infant brothers, Guiseppe and Louie.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, and from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home and continue with a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan Church, 2800 Oakwood Ave., Youngstown.

Private interment will take place at St. John’s Cemetery where Phyllis will be laid to rest beside her beloved Sonny.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association of Northeast Ohio, or Friends of Fido.