Phillis Virginia Boyd Claassen
March 26, 1935 ~ July 23, 2020
Phillis Virginia Poll (Boyd) Claassen
Phillis passed peacefully on July 23, 2020 at the age of 85 after a long and debilitating struggle with dementia. She is survived by her husband John of nearly 31 years, her daughters and son in laws, Kimberly Spear (Ed) and Linda Boyd (Rob Mullins), and her adoring grandchildren Ben, Leanna, Dane and Genny. Born in New York City to Rose and Sydney Poll, she spent her early years in Upper Montclair, NJ. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a major in Business. She also lived for a short time in Pittsburg, PA before moving to Reston, VA in 1969 then on to Capitol Hill, DC. After receiving a hotel/motel management degree from NVCC she found her passion as a banquet manager at Ramada Tyson’s Corner then went on to start her own catering firm while also teaching cooking classes. Later she joined Ridgewells Caterers as the first female account manager.
After accompanying her husband on a year sabbatical in England, she joined Occasions Catering where she worked until her retirement. Her years after retirement were spent traveling the world, volunteering at Miriam’s Kitchen, participating in water aerobics at the Eastern Market pool, attending art classes at UDC and pursuing interests in dancing, kayaking and crafts. She will be remembered by her many friends for her loving and generous spirit, vivacious personality and of course, her incredible cooking skills.
We encourage you to share your fondest memories and photos of Phillis.
Donations may be made in memory of Phillis to Miriam’s Kitchen in Washington DC or to an
Alzheimers research organization of your choice.
Phillis passed peacefully on July 23, 2020 at the age of 85 after a long and debilitating struggle with dementia. She is survived by her husband John of nearly 31 years, her daughters and son in laws, Kimberly Spear (Ed) and Linda Boyd (Rob Mullins), and her adoring grandchildren Ben, Leanna, Dane and Genny. Born in New York City to Rose and Sydney Poll, she spent her early years in Upper Montclair, NJ. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a major in Business. She also lived for a short time in Pittsburg, PA before moving to Reston, VA in 1969 then on to Capitol Hill, DC. After receiving a hotel/motel management degree from NVCC she found her passion as a banquet manager at Ramada Tyson’s Corner then went on to start her own catering firm while also teaching cooking classes. Later she joined Ridgewells Caterers as the first female account manager.
After accompanying her husband on a year sabbatical in England, she joined Occasions Catering where she worked until her retirement. Her years after retirement were spent traveling the world, volunteering at Miriam’s Kitchen, participating in water aerobics at the Eastern Market pool, attending art classes at UDC and pursuing interests in dancing, kayaking and crafts. She will be remembered by her many friends for her loving and generous spirit, vivacious personality and of course, her incredible cooking skills.
We encourage you to share your fondest memories and photos of Phillis.
Donations may be made in memory of Phillis to Miriam’s Kitchen in Washington DC or to an
Alzheimers research organization of your choice.
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Where do you begin to remember a lifetime of unconditional love and fun with the best mother anyone could have? She was a world traveler, collector of dear friends, willing to try everything and eat anything, always made sure to share her smile and a hello with anyone, was always learning new things, and made sure no one went hungry- including the mailman, any delivery person, the neighborhood children and of course, her friends and family. Thanks for everything including for falling in love with John and bringing him into our family -We will miss you so dearly, Mom, you will always be with us!
2007 Spa Trip to Mexico with some of her dearest friends.
When I first hooked up with Phillis, more than 30 years ago, she exhausted me. Life with her was a whirlwind of social events, parties, trips to museums, theater, and other countries. Sometimes I wanted to say: Enough! But I came to realize that, for a textbook case of an introvert, she was the perfect medicine. When the oportunity of living abroad for a year came up, I was hesitant and nervous about it. Not Phillis: WE’RE GOING . She quit her very successful job without a second thought, and launched herself into this new adventure full throttle. At the end we had many new friends and a lifetime of memories. It was the best year of my life. And really, my years with Phillis were the best years of my life. She had a big network of friends, was constantly organizing outings with them. She reached out frequently to those out of town. You’ve never seen anything as dogeared as her address book. Like Will Rogers, she liked everyone she met (almost). She bonded just as easily with her well-off catering clients as with the most down-and-out person. When this diabolical disease began to take hold, she gradually lost everything: her friends, her ability to control things, her ability to perform everyday tasks. The resulting anger, frustration, anxiety were a trial for both of us. The saddest days of my life were the time when we had to put her in a memory care facility. This is really a sort of prison, and she knew it. Eventually her hostility to her situation mellowed, and her old laughing and cheerful personality re-emerged. By then her speech had degenerated to mostly incomprehensible gibberish. But she still told me frequently how much she loved me. How I cherished those statements! I would go see her everyday, just to hear that. What COVID took from me was 100+ opportunities to hear that. Her death was sad, but not as sad as what went before. Phillis, I loved you so much. Thank you, thank you, for being in my life. You are remembered. John
You are our sunshine our only sunshine. You make us happy when skies are gray. The skies were grey the night you left us but your smile will be with us forever. Thank you for all you have done for us, all you have taught us and for all the love you have shown us as well as your grandchildren. Thank you for all the adventures, fond memories and of course your recipes! You are a tough act to follow and a force of nature who lived her life to the fullest. Mom we love you and miss you terribly but know you are already planning and preparing quite a party for our reunion. We look forward to being with you again!
I knew Phillis from water aerobics class at the Rumsay pool on Capital Hill. She was a lovely person with a beautiful smile. It was a privilege to know her.
Dear Virginia, She adored her pool friends and the time spent at water aerobics. Hope you all get to go back into the water soon! Phillis will be there in spirit!
We met Phillis at Miriam’s Kitchen where all of us were volunteering. Her enthusiasm and cooking creativity helped make us a 17 year volunteer at Miriams Kitchen. Her warmth and easy ways led us to an ongoing friendship, including many meals with her and John. Phillis introduced us to many restaurants that we would have never gone to on our own. We left DC to retire in NC and unfortunately that made it difficult to continue our lunches and dinners. We will always remember the fun times we had with Phillis. Jackie & Ken Durham
So saddened to hear the passing of a dear and wonderful colleague who had such a joy for life
Dear Family, we are so sad for your loss. We did have the pleasure getting to know Phillis. She and John loved visiting Kim and Ed in Costa Rica, together we had lots of fun, lovely sunsets and great parties. We will never forget Phillis and I will never forget she loved “Haagse hopjes” ?❤️ We wish you lots of strength in this very sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with you, much love , Mirjam and Mark and kids
Dear Mirjam, She loved those coffee candies and sunsets with you and Mark at Casa Victoria. Love to everyone.
I am so sad. Phillis and I met in Cancun. From there we went to Spain and Morocco. She the extrovert, me the introvert. She connecting with people at breakfast, at lunch, on the street; me following behind or staying the our room. She was irrepressible! Then when we got back home, she introduced me to several men. She took on the job of matchmaker. None of them took off until she introduced me to her neighbor, Ron. He was the one. She was persistent. It’s not something I asked her to do. She just did it. That’s who she was. Make people happy. Wonderful friend to many, mom to Kim and Linda, grandmother and wife to John. She was the best.
Dear Pam, I never knew how you two met. Enjoyed the story! Love to you, Ron and Nora.
I loved my lunches with Phillis!! We enjoyed food from Afganistan, China, Mexico and so on. She loved eating out! I’ll always remember what a bright personality and fun-loving disposition she brought to our neighborhood. We miss you! Susan Wall
How I got fat
Feeding you was one behavior that never stopped- Eat bubelah eat!
Phillis and Ben–study in black and white
A candle was lit for the decedent.
We met Phillis at Miriam’s Kitchen where all of us were volunteering. Her enthusiasm and cooking creativity helped make us a 17 year volunteer at Miriams Kitchen. Her warmth and easy ways led us to an ongoing friendship, including made meals with her and John. Phillis introduced us to many restaurants that we would have never gone to on our own. We left DC to retire in NC and unfortunately that made it difficult to continue our lunches and dinners. We will always remember the fun times we had with Phillis. Jackie & Ken Durham
Dear John, Kim, and Linda, It is difficult to take in that Phillis gone. She was such a force of nature, interested in everything, and always ready for an adventure. She took me to Baltimore one day to her favorite pirogi and kielbasa vendor. We had a blast. Phillis’s generosity in sharing meals, drinks, recipes, and her time and energy was incredible. John and Phillis would often call from their porch to invite us for cocktails; my dad remembers his time there fondly. We send you our thoughts and love, Beverly and Mark (232 11th Street)
As a late comer to the Rumsey pool, I didn’t know Phillis back in the day, so I have loved reading about all of her exploits and accomplishments. She was quite a woman! As the weeks and months pass, we will be able to focus on her full and rich life, instead of her final struggle. My deepest condolences to John and the rest of the family. Bonnie Calhoun
Phillis was like a big sister to my wife Susan when they lived at the same memory care facility. Soon after Phillis arrived the two ladies could be seen walking around the building swapping clothing, teddy bears, jewelry. They became constant dinner buddies, later joined by John and me, and sometimes Kim and Linda. After dinner, we would take a walk every night, and often steal cookies from the visitor’s lounge before the chef threw them away. Phillis was a gentle soul and always worried about how everyone else was doing. We miss her.
Tom, We miss spending time with you and Susan and supporting each other through our journey with dementia. Susan and Phillis were so cute together and we are glad they had each other, even for the brief time that it was. And we are glad to now call you- friend.
We will always remember how welcome Phillis made us feel when we moved into the neighborhood on Capitol Hill. Her enthusiasm was infectious and her kindness nourishing. Our caring thoughts go out to John and the rest of her family. Elaine and Michael
We will always remember Phillis and her exuberant spirit and kind soul. She was fun to be around and we particularly enjoyed crashing her cooking class, and white water rafting and ringing in the new year in Costa Rica. Thank you Phillis for demonstrating a life well lived, and sharing your wonderful family with us. Love, Kim & Mark Patrick
Kim and Mark, thank you so much for sharing your memories and for these great photos. We will toast Phillis again all together at Playa Bejuco!
Phillis was a dear friend. Shortly after our arrival in DC in 2005 she took me under her wing – water aerobics at Ramsey pool with Jeanie, art classes at UDC with Daniel Venne, and the wonderful plays and concerts with her and John. I miss her greatly. God’s Blessings Phillis. Prayers for John, Kim and Linda and their families. Carol and Dick Loewecke
I have many fond memories of Phillis. I have known her since her Ridgewells days, and we remained friends since then. I will remember her with fondness. Although I didn’t see her as often as I would have liked (she was a VERY BUSY person), we talked like we didn’t miss a beat. I loved listening to her travel stories. Things I remember about Phillis….Bronco Billy’s (which is where I think she met John), dinners at Clyde’s, she and John hosted an engagement party for us, the Cherry Blossoms, and many years and fun times in between. I will miss her exuberance for life and for all things adventurous. This picture is from a birthday party for a mutual friend, with the Ridgewells gang. It was the last time I saw her. Love you, PVB.
Such a special visit and thank you for sharing our memories, Ruth. She just adored you and I remember how happy she was for you when you met Larry and fell in love. I am so glad that we were able to visit with everyone at Lena’s party. Phillis was so happy to see those from her treasured days at Ridgewell’s
Phyllis immediately ecognized that I was a newcomer to the Ramsey Pool group and introduced herself to me. She had more energy and charm, love of life andknew how to have fun. Elizabeth Eby
Dear John,Kim and Linda When my sister passed in 1983 her friendship with Phyliss passed on to me. I didn’t invite it..it just happened. She would say help me with caterering, lets go to Bronco Billy’s, to Blobs Park,let swin in the ocean in January, lets travel and with her and John we did., to my wife’s Chile,Argentina,Greece, Portugal…Baltimore. Through divoice,girlfriend,death of my son,new marriage,Phyliss was there–no judgement..just there with her smile and a twinlke in her eye. What a friend. Glenn Chamberlain
You two had such a special friendship, Glenn. She loved spending time with you and then also with Illiana. Love to you both.
Phillis was our wonderful neighbor for 20 years. We had many great times visiting with her and John, sitting on the front porch, sipping cocktails and munching on her tasty snacks. She was always the wonderful host and we were fortunate to be treated to her cooking and blessed to have her as a good friend. I send prayers and hugs to John.
John, her husband, expressed it so well. In his essay, I clearly saw Phillis in my memory. We made several shopping trips together and everywhere we went, she knew everyone. ( try to find renin enzyme to make mozzarella, Phillis knew where and we went. I still have the renin in the fridge here in Palm Springs but haven’t tried making mozzarella). She and John came to our wedding. She was a special person who lived a youthful life and to have her mind taken, was the saddest part. I remember the last time I saw Phillis, visiting after we moved from DC. I knocked on the door and she let me in. Though not the Phillis I knew, she was warm and welcoming and remember the feeling as I left. I grieve for John
What a gift Phillis was! We became friends after she retired. We had about a decade of fun adventures, the best of which was dining around the world without ever leaving the DC area. We would pick a different ethnic restaurant every other month- had to be a one-off (not a chain) cheap, casual attire and definitely had to have a liquor license! Then Phillis and John and my husband Andrew and I would fine on whatever the waiter recommended and talk and laugh for hours! What a beautiful time we had. So grateful for the experience of sharing with both John and Phillis. God bless you, my friend.
Phillis was a neighbor and a very dear friend. We did so many fun things together like going to garage and yard sales and especially the Eastern Market flea market on weekends searching for inexpensive treasures. We even went grocery shopping in the middle of a blizzard. I was invited many times to eat great meals she prepared and also have happy hour on the front porch with other neighbors and friends. I will remember Phillis as a loving and caring friend forever.
She sure loved you, Bob! We all miss those porch front happy hours.
The summer before my senior year of college I had the good fortune to stay with my uncle John and Phillis in the basement of their home in DC. I learned a lot that summer from Phillis. She taught me about generous hospitality as she made me feel completely at home in the basement “frat house.” She always made sure that I had plenty of great things to eat as I trained for my upcoming season as a collegiate runner. I never turned down a chance to join Phillis and John for a visit to some undiscovered DC culinary gem. She even hired me for a couple of catering gigs where I got to see her completely in her element. I will never be able to repay her kindness and generosity but I will miss her dearly.
Dear Lane, Such a special memory. Thank you for sharing. How are you and your family? We are doing our best to take care of your wonderful Uncle John. We are so grateful to have him in our lives. He and Mom shared an amazing 30 year marriage.
We have fond memories of the NRL “old folks” dinners, especially those produced by Phillis. They were always a gourmet treat followed by ice box cake for dessert. Phyllis also remembers the time she met Phillis in DC for an afternoon date. Phillis was the tour guide taking them all over DC, including stories of her life in the city. We’ll miss her. Mike and Phyllis Osofsky
My condolences to you, John, and the family! How do I put into words what Phillis meant to me? She was the best; always ready with encouragement and ideas on where to go and how to enjoy life. Phillis was the first friend I met when I moved to Reston in 1973. So many years ago and so many wonderful memories. She was the epitome of love and kindness. Words cannot convey the way I loved her. I truly miss being able to talk with her on the phone! In my mind, I can still talk with her. Crazy but true! Dearest Phillis, Rest in Peace!
Philis was an extraordinary individual. From the first time we met her until the last time spent time with her we were amazed by her vitality. There have been very few people that have made us think about how to live life, Philis was one of them. She exuded exuberance in every situation she encountered. When I danced with her at her 75th birthday I thought I was dancing with a 20 year old. Rollerskating in the neighborhood! That’s what Philis did. Taking care of horses! That’s what Philis did. Make a bad situation into a good situation! That was Philis. She lived life to it’s fullest and ignored convention. Much Love, Tom and Donna
My sister-in-law Phillis Virginia was one of the warmest, most hospitable and fun loving people I have known. She was part of my life, though separated in place, for 31+ years, and these included changes and challenge for me. But it was always great to see her, and when I heard that memory issues were causing changes for her, it was difficult to understand. As time went on, though distantly, I viewed her struggles and those of John, wondering why the disease chose her. Phillis made every visit to DC a long awaited tour (from Minnesota, part of America’s heartland.) She knew what was happening in town, when and where to go in the East Market, and how to get around in the city. Her meals were a work of art. She brought her cooking and hospitable gifts along when the family would gather, usually in Tacoma, Washington, favored for family get-togethers. I have posted a picture of Phillis and Eileen Seeley, our sister, displaying special dishes. It must have been especially hard for Phillis to give up independence in the kitchen. She was so talented and always “in the moment.” I sometimes resurrected my enjoyment of art with her, sketching or painting. Her owl collection was so fun to look at. She loved living–dancing, walking, water exercise. I remember her many times a year and miss her badly. I am grateful to Phillis also for her Jewish heritage, though not emphasized. (Since my parents and I, as a teenager, had shared a year in Jerusalem, Israel, things like Jewish holidays became part of my life.) Something about the artwork she selected for their home, beautiful old furniture, and bright fabrics used to add color reminded me of the vibrant “Eretz Israel.” Her world view was large, and she seemed to appreciate many different kinds of people. I won’t forget her, her spirit even fighting the constraints she had to endure; I am sure many wonderful qualities continue in her daughters and grandchildren.
Phillis and Eileen Seeley (sister-in-law) at family gathering in Tacoma, Washington