Central 1938 Phyllis (Martin) Whitcomb

May 26, 1920 - April 2, 2016

SOUTH BEND - A life of love and service ended April 2, 2016, as Phyllis “Acorn” Martin Whitcomb died peacefully in her home. Born May 26, 1920, to Diehl and Margaret Martin, she married Leslie “Bear” C. Whitcomb in South Bend, IN, on Sept. 26, 1942.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, two brothers and an infant daughter.

Phyllis is survived by six children: Leslie (Jan) Whitcomb, San Diego, CA, Stuart (Sherry) Whitcomb, Kokomo, IN, Bruce (Martha) Whitcomb, Castle Rock, CO, Arthur (Judi) Whitcomb, South Bend, IN, Kenneth (Laurie, deceased) Whitcomb, Indianapolis, IN, and Anne Whitcomb, South Bend, IN; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After graduating from South Bend Central High School she studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Indiana University-South Bend. As a proficient artist Phyllis at one time worked as a copy editor and artist for the South Bend Tribune. Phyllis was proud of her involvement in Head Start and the Panel of American Women. She also served as camp director of the South Bend First Presbyterian Redbud Trail Retreat in Buchanan, Michigan, where children and adults affectionately knew her as “Acorn.”

She enjoyed gathering family genealogy and collecting antiques. Phyllis also had a passion for nature and animals.

Following retirement Leslie and Phyllis moved to Cape Coral, FL, where they volunteered their time teaching English as a Second Language and working in the Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary organization. When not involved in volunteering, they enjoyed traveling the United States and abroad, making new friends and experiencing new cultures.

The family will celebrate Phyllis' life privately.

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