Phyllis Dean Caswell - Cremation Society of Virginia

Phyllis Dean Caswell

October 16, 1929 - March 27, 2020

Phyllis is preceded in death by her sister Dorothy Kuykendall, and sons Steven L. Burch and James E. Guilliams Jr.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, R. Jayne Burch Call, Shannon K. Heidelberg, and Fred R. Guilliams; her five precious grandchildren Bryan Latimer (Alexandra) Bryce Burch, Kaitlin Burch Loveday (Chris), James Heidelberg Jr., and Wayne Call; two brothers Fred Caswell of Illinois and Don Caswell (Bebe) of California; three beautiful great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Phyllis had a servant’s heart and one of her most beloved accomplishments was the successful start-up of the Newport News Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program which advocates for the best interests of children involved in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. At the culmination of her fifteen-year tenure in March 2004, the program had already helped over 2,000 children and continues to grow daily. She had a proud and patriotic heart and served time in the Civil Air Patrol, as well.

Phyllis was a practicing Catholic and a member of St. Olaf Catholic Church. In her retirement, she enjoyed researching genealogy and travelling the world with her cousin and life-long best friend, Phyllis-Ruth Jamison of Booneville, Indiana. She loved her pets, flower gardens, and watching wild birds in her back yard.

Phyllis would like to recognize and show appreciation for those close to her later in life, including friends and neighbors who offered her their time and love: James Rash, Brenda Fordham, Teresa Louden, Anna Reyes, Monica Piette, Phillip Clarke IV, Rose Revels, James Harp, among many others.

A celebration of life will be held in her home, Date will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Heritage Humane Society in Williamsburg, Virginia, in her name.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with arrangements.

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Phyllis Dean Caswell, 90, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her beloved family on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Phyllis was born in Evansville, IN, to Rex and Coda Caswell. Phyllis is preceded in death by her sister Dorothy Kuykendall, and sons Steven L. Burch and James E. Guilliams Jr. Left…

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Cassy, I very much appreciate your kind note about Phyllis’ death at the age of ninety. And the links to her obituary. I had actually been thinking of Phyllis around the first of this year, wondering how she was doing. I retired to coastal South Carolina two and a half years ago. As you may know, she and I went back a great many years. Phyllis was actually one of my earliest and most ardent “students” of family systems. We had many memorable telephone conversations over the years on wide-ranging topics, and often she would send me Daily Press news clippings about local politics that she knew I would be interested in knowing about. And, of course, we always talked about her family. It therefore pleases me that family was with her when she died. We should all be so lucky... The loss of our mothers is always a significant loss, no matter where or when it happens. Rest in peace, dear Phyllis.

Mike and I were volunteers with CASA when it was first started in Newport News. She was a dedicated teacher and appreciated everything her volunteers accomplished. When challenges arose, she sent us down the right path. She was always there for us and always stood up for us. We were proud to have known her. Jo-Ann

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.