Obituary of Phyllis H. Lafler
Phyllis Hope Lafler was born on January 17, 1928 in Nantwich, Cheshire, England
to Leonard Hope and Ethel Mae Jackson Hope. Her parents and siblings, Kenneth
Hope (Australia) and Kathleen Hope (Scotland) predeceased her. Phyllis graduated
from Acton & Nantwich Grammar School and from Crewe Teacher Training
College. She taught school in Crewe. In December 1944 she met U.S. Army
Private Don Huey Lafler, a combat engineer, at the Thanksgiving dance for G.l.s at
Doddington Hall. This led to a lifelong romance and 49 years of marriage. They
lived in Niagara County throughout their marriage except for a period of 16 years
in Rochester, New Hampshire. Don died in 1998. They are survived by four
children: Kathleen (Bruce Bird) of Liberty, Missouri; Pamela (Kurt Oldenburg) of
Ellicottville, NY; Mark (Cathi) of Ransomville, NY; and Kenneth (Selena) of
Cambridge, MA. Phyllis is also survived by five granddaughters: Michelle Bird, Dr.
Pamela Bird Rizza, Kelli Lafler, Katie Lafler Zastrow, and Alma Lafler; and two great
granddaughters, Kate and Harper Rizza. Hope family relatives in England, Scotland
and Australia survive her. Phyllis is a long-time member of North Ridge United
Methodist Church in Cambria, NY, where she was a Sunday School teacher. She
sang in the church choir at Rochester United Methodist Church in New
Hampshire. She was an avid reader throughout her llfe and instilled a love of
learning in her children.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Ridge United Methodist Church, 3930 North Ridge Rd., Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd. Ransomville, NY.
