Phyllis Louise Santini (nee Francois), 89, a retired West Bend West High School English teacher, died January 8, 2015 with family beside her.

A long time resident of West Bend, Wisconsin, Phyllis moved to Serenity Villa assisted living in Slinger, Wisconsin, four years ago with her husband, Louis Santini.

Phyllis Louise Santini (nee Francois) was born August 28, 1925 at home in Big Bay, Michigan, a tiny hamlet near Marquette. Her father, Joseph Francois, worked at the lumber mill in Big Bay and eventually became superintendent of lumber operations for the Ford Motor Company in the Upper Peninsula. Her mother, Gladys Elizabeth Vande Zande Francois, became a writer as a widow.

After graduating from L'Anse High School in 1943, Phyllis attended St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana for two years. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 1972 and completed course work for a master's degree. She also taught fifth grade at Holy Angels School.

As a child Phyllis spent many happy hours at Lake Superior and enjoyed swimming her entire life. A soprano, she sang in church choirs, acted in several plays and directed a musical at the high school. She often socialized with family members and doted on her grandchildren. She particularly loved dancing in general, and specifically, with nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to the music of Abba.

Survivors include Phyllis' husband of nearly 60 years, Louis; two daughters, Maureen Santini of West Bend and Kathleen Lighthizer of Allenton, Wisconsin, and a son, Louis P. Santini of West Bend.

Also surviving are Louis P. Santini's wife, Carol Roberts Santini, and their children Melanie and Jake; and Kathleen's husband, Michael Lighthizer, their children Brian and Adam, and Brian's wife Jaclynn and their children Taylor and Cole.
Surviving siblings are Ken Francois of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, his wife Ella; JoAnn Francois Michaud of Iron Mountain; Richard Francois of L'Anse, and Linda Francois Bastian and her husband Jon, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was predeceased by a son, Tony, who died in 1977; her father, who died in 1953; her mother, who died in Iron Mountain, Michigan in 1978; and a sister, Marilyn Francois McKindles, of L'Anse, Michigan, who died in 2012.

The family is grateful for the kind, compassionate care Phyllis received from
Serenity Villa and Horizon Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church (1025 S. 7th Ave. West Bend, WI 53095) on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 11:00 am. A Visitation will be held at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095) on Monday, January 12, 2015 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a Prayer Vigil to follow, and a continued Visitation on Tuesday at St. Frances Cabrini from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass.

We love you mom. You truly are our "Dancing Queen."