Phyllis Jacqueline Carroll

life story

Phyllis Jacqueline Carroll

Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, Friend & Neighbor

Phyllis Jacqueline Carroll, aged 75, of Lauderdale, MN, passed peacefully at home on January 29, 2025. Born on December 21, 1949 to Charles R. and Emily A. Martyn in Chicago, Phyllis was the oldest of eleven children: Phillip, Paul, Patrick, Pauline, Peter Pascal, Pamela, Perry, Penelope, and Parker.

In 1967, Phyllis attended her freshman year at Marymount College in Salina KS, where she majored in Fine Art. She was married to Francis Anthony Carroll Jr. in 1968, separating in 1983. She then joined the workforce at a large financial services organization in Minneapolis, working in various administrative, client servicing, and compliance roles for more than 30 years.

Phyllis raised three children: Michael Dane Carroll (56), Heather Anne Carroll (50) and Joshua Aaron Carroll (46), who each in their own way resemble the best parts of her. She is survived by her brother Paul, his wife Nancy, their children Paul, Brian, Jason and Shawn, sister Pamela “Pam” Gentz and her children John, Elizabeth “Libby” and Calvin, sister Penelope “Penny” Wing and her children Matthew and Krystal, brother Parker and his wife Judy, Phillip’s sons Shaun and Casey, sister-in-law Gail and her son Ryan, brother-in-law Mike King, sister-in-law Eileen and her daughters Christy and Cathy, and many grand-nieces and nephews. Phyllis is survived by son Michael, daughter Heather, her husband Mark Yechout and their children, Silas (15) and Sabine (12), son Joshua and his wife Nina (Ehrmentraut) and their children Liam (15), Bridie (11) and Elijah (7), and many friends and neighbors.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Emily, brother Phillip, brother Patrick, sister Pauline (King), brother Peter, brother Pascal, brother Perry, brother-in-law Charlie Gentz and brother-in-law Robert “Bobby” Wing.

As a teenager Phyllis took up sewing, making clothing for herself and her siblings, and later for her children. She enjoyed many crafts, textile and needle arts over the years but developed a true passion for quilting in her 40s. In the last decades of her life, she honed her quilting skills and taught her son Michael the craft, together completing more than 25 quilts. In the year prior to her death, she also passed the passion on to Heather when they completed a quilt top that combined her sewing skills with Heather’s artistic talents. In the final months preceding her death, Phyllis concepted her final quilt project for Joshua - a project that became a memorial quilt containing fabric from family and friends across the country.

Phyllis was an avid natural gardener, always with a robust vegetable garden, raspberry patch and abundant flowers. She loved being outside with the sun on her skin, and noticed the smallest sounds of the birds, bugs and animals around her. She was a wonderful cook, often using the bounties of her garden. She travelled the world with son Michael, including the UK, France, New Zealand, Malaysia, and the Baltic Sea regions, and traveled to Australia and Ireland with Michael and Heather. Wherever she travelled, whether across town or across the globe, she could often be found looking for the perfect stone or shell to add to her collection.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 3, 2025 at the Como Conservatory.

A private inurnment will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville, MN.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

May 3, 2025

Como Conservatory | St Paul, MN

Angela Woosley, Celebrant | Inspired Journeys llc