Obituary for Phyllis T. Beard

Phyllis T Beard, November 1, 1928 – October 10, 2025 

Phyllis Beard, 96, of Portland, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025.  After a faithful 27-year wait, she is finally reunited with her beloved husband Jack. Her daughter, Jacklyn, also preceded her in death in 2021.  Mrs. Beard leaves behind her two sons, Michael (Carole) of Portland and Dennis (Bill) of Grand Rapids.  Phyllis was a proud grandmother of one grandson, Darryl (Anna) of Illinois and three granddaughters Pamela of Portland, Jennifer (Leif) of Illinois, and Denise (Jason) of New York.  If she was proud of her grandchildren, then she was over-the-moon for her great-grandchildren Jack, Molly, Wren, Margot, and Remi.

Phyllis leaves a legacy of service to her Faith, Family, Friends and Community. Her entire life she was a devout member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Portland, often volunteering to help with the various church functions and fundraisers.  She served her community as a member of the Portland VFW Post 4090 Ladies Auxiliary, contributed and volunteered at the Portland Community Fund, and worked as an election official.  She was the first to be by the side of an ill parent, husband, sibling or friend comforting them in their time of need. She volunteered at Hospice of Lansing for several years.  Even in her last years she was often seen looking after her friends at The Brook Retirement Community before tending to her own needs.  Phyllis Beard was a nurturer in every sense of the meaning.  

Mrs. Beard lived a life of joyful vigor.  She seemed to have endless energy to ruthlessly beat you at any card game, she enjoyed trips to the casino with her sisters or friends and never missed a family reunion or a chance to spend time with family.  She was an exceptional quilter, a member of Variable Stars Quilt Guild with her daughter Jackie; she was a wonderful cook, had a green thumb, and kept the cleanest house in Portland. If Phyllis had any enemies, they would be squirrels.  She fought a tireless battle to keep them out of her bird feeder.  She was one of the first residents at The Brook and ruled the roost, so much so that her grandson often referred to her as the mayor.

Visitation for Mrs. Beard will be held at Lehman Funeral Home in Portland on Wednesday, October 15 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with the Prayer of the Holy Rosary beginning at 4:00.  The Mass of Christian Burial will commence on Thursday, October 16 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Portland. Rite of Committal will follow at Portland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Beard has requested you honor her life-long passion of comforting people by donating to McLaren Hospice at https://www.mclaren.org/health-management-group/online-donation-mclaren-health-management-group.