Phyllis Ann Lundeen

Phyllis Ann (Novakowski) Lundeen, age 92, passed away of natural causes on July 27, 2024, in Pawleys Island, SC. She was a resident of the Lakes at Litchfield in Pawleys Island, SC, for the last 8 years. Born July 14, 1932, in Gardner, MA, she was the youngest of 7 children of the late Stanley Stephen Novakowski and Stephanie (Klys) Novakowski. She attended schools in Gardner, graduating from Gardner High School as a senior class officer with honors. She then attended Fitchburg State Teachers’ College on scholarships and graduated again with honors. Throughout her higher education, she worked at Stanley’s Jewelry Store in Gardner, MA, along with breeding purebred cocker spaniel puppies. Upon graduation, she took a teaching position with Newtonville Primary School in the Boston area. She married the love of her life, Gerald R. Lundeen (dec.) on May 21, 1955. She then joined her new husband for his military service in Munich, Germany, for 3 years. Upon completing his service, the newlyweds returned to the Boston/Newton area and then relocated to Westminster, MA. She took a 5th grade teaching position at Westminster Elementary until the family’s relocation to Bedford, PA, with her husband’s employer, Hedstrom Company of Fitchburg, MA. Phyllis was instrumental in leading the relocation of many families with the company to the Bedford area. Once settled, she took a position at the local St. Thomas Catholic Elementary School teaching reading programs. She then earned her Master’s Degree from Pitt University and taught gifted programming at Bedford Middle School for the remainder of her teaching career. During her tenure there, she served as Head Teacher for several years. She was a much-loved educator and was invited to speak at various student graduations. Phyllis retired from her teaching career in 1991 and relocated permanently to Myrtle Beach, SC, where she and Gerald made the area their permanent home thereafter. She and Gerald were the owners/operators of A Air Conditioning for 30 years. She was very active in teaching craft programs, painting classes, and home décor design. She donated many of her finest quilts and cross-stitch pieces to various charities over her retirement years. Her knitting, sewing, painting, cross-stitching, and quilting acumen was legendary. She also loved to read and treasured her time at the Socastee Library as a donor and volunteer for children’s story time. Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald, on January 30, 2022. Together, they shared three loving children, two of whom survive: daughter Cynthia Ann (Lundeen) Braciak and her husband Brett of Belleair, FL, and son Scott Stephen Lundeen and his wife Nicki of Ringgold, GA. Three loving grandchildren survive: Nicholas Kriebel of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Christian Kriebel of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Caitlin (Kriebel) Underwood of Jacksonville, FL, and four loving step-grandchildren also survive: Shaun Talbert of Canton, GA, Kaylee (Weber) Nichols of Ringgold, GA, Lauren (Braciak) Santos of St. Petersburg, FL, and William Braciak of New York City, NY. She leaves great-granddaughters Reagan Kate Underwood, Jordan Joyce Kriebel, and Riley Jade Underwood. “Auntie Phyllis” also leaves 23 much-loved nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death in 2020 by her loving son, Gregg Robert Lundeen, formerly of Myrtle Beach, SC, and by her adored grandson, Logan Scott Lundeen, formerly of Ringgold, GA, in 2015. Her parents, two brothers, four sisters and their spouses, a sister-in-law and her spouse, and a niece also preceded her in death. Phyllis had a beautiful spirit and lived a remarkably full life, valuing the kinds of joys that have no price tags yet are priceless. She considered herself “a homespun woman” who took immense joy in an impressive array of arts and crafts, home décor projects, gardening, reading, and caring for her family and pets. She loved water, and the beach was her “happy place.” The family spent many happy memories in the Myrtle Beach area. Nothing mattered more to Phyllis than her love of God and her family. She was deeply committed to her church and community everywhere she lived. She led children’s catechism classes, youth sports leagues, Girl Scout clubs, youth church music groups, and remained an animal advocate throughout her life. She demonstrated amazing crafting, event planning, and cooking skills. Her gifts were her outgoing personality and her teaching. She taught by example. Phyllis was an avid participant and supporter of sports and attended many sporting events. Her family was most important to her, and we all felt her love throughout our lives. She will be greatly missed. A Catholic tribute Mass will take place at Precious Blood of Christ Church in Pawleys Island at 12 noon on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery alongside her husband Gerald in Conway, SC, at 2 pm following Mass. All friends and family are welcome. If you wish to make a memorial donation, the family requests that memorials in her name be sent to Tidelands Community Hospice at 2591 N. Fraser Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, or online at tidelandshospice.org or burroughsfh.com Condolences may be made at www.burroughsfh.com Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.

Phyllis Ann Lundeen

July 14, 1932 - July 27, 2024