Phyllis Kaplan

Phyllis loved the fact that she was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, so much, that even in her last week of life, said she wished she could be either there or in heaven. She was a devoted wife and mother of two children. She and her husband, Franklin, adopted them after they moved to Livingston, NJ.

Throughout her lifetime, she embraced her Judaism, as she sprinkled unconditioned love and acceptence everywhere she went, regardless of the nationality, political affiliation, or religion of the person she was with.

It didn’t matter if you were related to Phyllis or not, she would become your biggest cheerleader; calling out the greatness she was able to see inside of you. It’s no wonder so many lovingly called her Nana!

In the course of her life, Phyllis taught typing at Livingston High School, while attaining a Master’s Degree at Seton Hall University in counseling. This enabled her to become the Director of Guidance at Livingston Middle School. After working in the Livingston, NJ school system for over 20 years, she and her husband retired to Florida. In 1988, they moved to Rio Ranch, NM, where they took in their daughter and two grandsons.

Phyllis volunteered with multiple organizations, including Hospice, after the passing of her husband; and the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, since 1997, where she was a docent for many years. She also volunteered for the New Mexico child protective services. She contributed to the Magic Bus, which helped children enter the museum on field trips.

Phyllis is survived by her loving children, Debra and Arthur, and her Daughter in Love, Toya. She was adored by her grandchildren; David, William, Sean, Danielle, and Rachel, and great-grand Nana, to Aubrielle, Kynlee, and Lev.

She has joined her son in-law, William Canning; her husband, Franklin Kaplan; brother Marty Rudman; sister in-law Eileen Rudman; mother Belle and father Harry Rudman. She will be remembered by many as one of the greatest and kindest humans to ever exist on Earth.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Albuquerque Museum Foundation at albuquerquemuseumfoundation. org or to Cancer research at cancerresearch. org in memory of Phyllis Kaplan.