Obituary of Phyllis Christine Rao (nee Villani)

Phyllis Christine Rao (nee Villani) passed away peacefully with her granddaughter Morgan Crescenza by her side on July 27, 2020.  She was 74 years old.  Phyllis was born in the Bronx, NY on September 23, 1945 to Mary and Crescenzo Villani.  For many years, she worked for Rockland BOCES where she taught students with special needs.  Phyllis married Peter on September 23, 1967, which was her birthday.  They moved to Rockland County where they raised their two children.  Phyllis loved to cook, garden, travel, listen to music, make charitable donations to help children and pets in need, and spend time with her family.  She will be missed by all that knew her.  Phyllis is survived by her beloved husband, Peter and her two children, Donna Marie (Rao) McGinley (Richard) and Anthony Rao (Josephine).  She is also survived by her 6 cherished grandchildren, Madison, Morgan, Anthony, Christopher, Giuliana, and Adriana.  As well as her sister-in-law, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephew, great niece, great nephew, and her best friend Maryanne (Froggy-Red).  A private ceremony will be held at St. Anthony’s cemetery in Nanuet, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.