Phyllis Klinefelter Credit: Courtesy
Our sweet Mom, Phyllis (White) Klinefelter Quinn, passed away on August 9, 2026, at her home in Colchester, Vt., surrounded by love and care. She was born in Burlington, Vt., on May 28, 1935, daughter of Arlene (Howard) and Sylvester White.
As a young child, she moved with her parents to Connecticut and then to Springfield, Mass., where she attended school and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1952. In her youth, she spent many summers with her grandparents and extended family in Burlington, as well as two years of elementary school there during World War II in the 1940s. That time gave her many happy memories: first piano lessons, days at North Beach, and treasured time with her aunt, uncle and cousins, who became more like sisters.
At 17, when her parents moved to Florida, Phyllis returned to Vermont to spend time with her aging grandparents. Two years later, at 19, she began working at the University of Vermont as secretary to Dean McKee. After a brief time at an advertising firm on Madison Avenue in New York City, she came back to Burlington and married George Klinefelter. Together they had three children — John, Karen and Alan — and George’s government career took the family to Montréal; Derby Line and Swanton, Vt.; and Ottawa, Ontario.
While raising her children, Phyllis held various secretarial positions and somehow managed the lively surprises of family life — being late for work when the horse got loose, the rabbit disappeared or critters filled her car engine with dog food. Through it all, she was the steady center of a chaotic household: the home-cooked meal each night, the clean laundry, and the ride to every game, practice and event. She was our cheerleader and caretaker. She also found time to knit, sew clothing and quilts, enjoy many crafts, serve as a Cub Scout den mother, and volunteer at school functions.
The marriage ended in divorce in 1991, and Phyllis returned to Burlington. She completed an associate degree from Community College of Vermont in 1994 at the age of 61! She was employed by Howard Mental Health until her retirement.
Phyllis thrived in retirement. During her winters in Florida, she enjoyed tennis, golf, bridge, board games, the daily crossword puzzle and the companionship of a new circle of friends. A wonderful cook who loved to entertain, she followed rules and recipes — and loved an alphabetized spice drawer. Music remained a lifelong passion. She played the piano beautifully, loved everything from classical music to old-fashioned Christmas carol sing-alongs, and shared her gift through church choirs, a cappella groups, community chorus, singing, nursing home performances and duets with friends.
In 2015, Phyllis met Jerry Quinn while volunteering at Fletcher Allen Health Care, where she gave 20 years of service. She was also an active member of College Street Congregational Church and a dedicated Red Cross blood donor. She and Jerry married just before her 80th birthday and spent many happy years together, wintering in Jensen Beach, Fla., and spending summers in Vermont. They enjoyed friends, family and travel until Jerry’s passing in 2022.
Family and friends were deeply important to Phyllis. She was a loyal friend and thoughtful correspondent, maintaining close connections with loved ones both near and far. She took great pride in each of her children and felt blessed by their accomplishments and by the people they became.
She is survived by her children: John Klinefelter and his wife, Carrie, of Bakersfield, Vt.; Karen Klinefelter and her partner, Dr. Hal Moore, of Boise, Idaho; and Alan Klinefelter and his partner, Lori Barnard, of Swanton, Vt. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Grace Klinefelter and Gabriella Rios, and by her sisters at heart, Gail Jackson and Jean Myers, and their families.
She was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, Jerome “Jerry” Quinn; and her longtime physician, Dr. Frank Landry, whose compassionate care meant so much to her.
With heartfelt gratitude, we thank Dr. Megan Malgeri and the UVM Hospice team for their care and support. We are especially grateful to Dhyanna Lucia, who became family to us, and to the extraordinary “dream” team of caregivers she brought together — Bella, Joanne, Kim, Mia and Edith. Their compassionate presence cared for Mom through her final months and helped create the peaceful, sacred goodbye we had hoped for. We cannot thank you enough.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Cancer Research Center.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
