Obituary of Phyllis J. Belcher

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Phyllis J. Cowley Arvickson Belcher

Phyllis J. Belcher, 83, of Erie passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2017   at St. Mary’s East, Gallagher Unit where she had made her home since November 2014.  She was born in Erie, PA, January 28, 1934 a daughter of the late Bernard A. & Helen A.(Lair) Cowley.

Moving to Waterford at a young age, she graduated from Waterford High School in 1951 & for many years planned all the high school reunions of her class of 41 students.

Phyllis married her first husband, Blair F. Arvickson in 1953.  He predeceased her on May 18,1978.

Phyllis was employed by Miller Management Company (Gary Miller Chrysler-Jeep) for many years retiring in December 2009. During her employment there, she met & married her second husband & the love of her life, Richard A. Belcher.  They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2017.

Phyllis had a love of flower gardening & was an avid collector of lighthouses.  The outside of her home was always surrounded by beautiful flowers & the inside was decorated with dozens of lighthouses.

She was a former member of The Presque Isle Chapter DAR, Fort LeBoeuf Chapter DAC & an original charter member of the Lake Erie Chapter Daughters of 1812.  She was a member of the Summit Methodist United Church.

In addition to her parents & her first husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin S. Arvickson on October 8, 2015, four brothers, Bernard R., Charles D., William E., & Dennis P. (in infancy) Cowley.

She is survived by her husband, Richard A. Belcher of Erie PA, her daughter, Kimberley J. Arvickson of Erie PA, her son, Scott E. Arvickson of Wattsburg, PA, her granddaughter Amanda E.E. Hollinger & husband Henry of Erie PA, her sister Donna K. Edwards & husband Jerry of Maryville TN, three sisters-in-law, Chris Cowley of Port St. John, FL, Alice Cowley of Waterford, PA & Norma Cowley of Erie, PA.

Several nieces, nephews & cousins also survive.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s East, Gallagher Unit for their exceptional care during the time Phyllis made her home with them.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday (Today) from 2:00 to 6:00 PM and on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral service there at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to SafeNet 1701 French St. Erie, PA 16501