Phyllis Ruth Hundertmark

Phyllis Ruth Hundertmark, 78, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2023. She was surrounded by her husband and children when she passed through the veil and returned to her heavenly home.

Phyllis, and her twin sister Marty, were born on August 15, 1945 to Walter and Lenora Cass, in Baltimore, Maryland. Phyllis and Marty were the best of friends, and maintained an inseparable bond from their first breath, to their last. 

Phyllis was blessed with a happy childhood and had fond memories of gathering together with close neighborhood friends, for day-time adventures and neighborhood night games. She was bubbly and out-going and had many friends. One of Phyllis’ biggest trademarks was her compassionate heart. She adored animals and had a tender spot for all of God’s creatures. (It was not uncommon to see Phyllis rescuing drowning flies, capturing spiders in the home to release them outside, or bringing home injured animals to nurse.) She adored her dog, Skippy, and trained him to carry notes back and forth between Marty and herself, when mom was upset and sent them to separate bedrooms. 

Phyllis was exceptionally bright. Raised by a single-mother who modeled the value of hard work and education, Phyllis worked hard to maintain top grades throughout her schooling. Following high school, Phyllis and Marty attended Mississippi State College for Women, where they both graduated Magna Cum Laude. Phyllis continued her education at the University of Maryland, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing. 

Phyllis loved her time working as a Labor and Delivery nurse, at the University of Maryland Hospital. One evening, her head nurse, Lois Catherine Hundertmark, instructed Phyllis (and the other nurses on shift) to go say hello to her tall, dark, and handsome son, who was spending the night in the hospital…thus began the story of Phyllis and Jim. Jim was smitten with Phyllis and drove miles back and forth, between N.Y. and Maryland, in attempt to win her over. On their third date, he proclaimed he was going to marry her one day. On January 3, 1970, Jim and Phyllis were married in Hampstead, Maryland. Jim’s golf career took them to Long Island, New York, where they lived 35+ years and raised a beautiful family. When Phyllis and Jim had time to sneak away from the hustle and bustle, they loved exploring tropical islands, together. (Phyllis was quick to make sure those tropical islands did not have golf courses.)

Phyllis’ greatest joy and achievement was being a full-time mother to her six children. She instilled in her children the importance of family, honesty, selflessness, charity, and devotion to God. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Phyllis spent many hours serving the members of her congregation as Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, Primary President, Primary Chorister, and Sunday School Teacher. She taught Lamaze classes, in her home, and was involved in her local community. Leading through example, Phyllis taught her children to stand up and be a voice for the morals and principals they believed in. A gifted speaker and moral defender, she was asked multiple times to give interviews, on local tv shows, and discuss her stance on moral issues of the day. 

As her children grew older, Phyllis decided to further her education and returned to school to receive a Master of Social Work, at Adelphi University. She became a clinical social worker, working in several agencies, and also working as a counselor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She enjoyed the years she spent counseling, helping others strengthen their marriage and family relationships. 

Phyllis radiated light. She was blessed with an incredible ability to love. She spent her entire life building, lifting, and nurturing those around her. She had a gift for making others feel seen and valued; everyone she met was invited into her circle. Even in her last days, when she no longer remembered names or recognized faces, she reached out to others; she was a friend to the friendless, a strength to the weary, and comfort to the down trodden. Phyllis truly brightened the lives of all those around her. Her beautiful, warm spirit and kind heart will forever be remembered and serve as a legacy, for those who follow.

She was preceded in death by her brother (Rodger Allen Cass), her father (Walter Cass), her mother (Lenora Powell Cass), and her sister (Martha Carol Mattsson). She is survived by her husband, James Henry Hundertmark; her six children, James (Silvia) Hundertmark, Gene (Alison) Hundertmark, JoAnn Hundertmark, Barbara (Cory) Doyle, Patricia (Richard) Thomas, Jason (Andrea) Hundertmark, and thirteen beautiful grandchildren. 

A special thank you to the wonderful Memory Care staff of Avamere at Mountain Ridge, for the tender care they offered Phyllis during the last two years of her mortal journey.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 2:00pm, at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with the family from 12:30pm - 1:45pm, directly preceding the funeral. Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services, by scrolling to the bottom of Phyllis’ obituary page. 

Flowers may be sent to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary. 

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