Phyllis M. Conkey

Colonie - Phyllis M. Conkey, 98, a lifetime resident of Albany and Colonie NY, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Kingsway Arms in Schenectady.

Born in Albany, she was the daughter of William and Katherine Miller. She is predeceased by her parents and by her husband, Robert S. Conkey (1967), her brother, William Miller Jr., her sister, Helen Erdt, and her long-time friend, Thomas Brown.

Phyllis was admired by her colleagues for her strong work ethic. She rarely missed a day of work during her 37 years as a research assistant for the NYS Assembly. After retiring from the state, Phyllis went on to work for the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) where she replaced her familiar typewriter with a computer. Phyllis impressed both her colleagues and family members alike with her rapid fire typing skills and her copy editing expertise. No document ever left the department without a once-over from Phyllis. She reluctantly left the workforce at age 78, but only because NYSUT headquarters relocated and her commute was no longer an easy five minute drive up Wolf Road.

To say Phyllis’ family adored her would be a vast understatement. She was held in high respect as a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a passion for perusing the familiar aisles of Macy’s at Colonie Center, and loved to treat her family members to delicious meals at their favorite restaurants. While she enjoyed large family get togethers, often held at her home, Phyllis loved nothing more than a one-on-one lunch or dinner, where she could have the undivided attention of whomever she was with and the opportunity to hear the response to her favorite question, “so tell me, what’s new in your life?”

Phyllis had a deep love for travel, especially cruising to warm destinations in the Caribbean. Stateside, she enjoyed day trips to Lake George, and summer vacations to coastal Maine.

Phyllis leaves behind her daughters Barbara (Charles) Trimarchi of Colonie and Karen (Frank) Fredericks of Queensbury; a son Robert (Claudia) Conkey of Clifton Park; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Tuesday, May 2 at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue, Colonie. A burial will follow at Albany Rural Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Monday, May 1 at the funeral home.