SARATOGA SPRINGS — Phyllis Marks passed away at Saratoga Hospital on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at the age of 91.
Phyllis was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 28, 1923, the daughter of the late Frances (Brown) Dorf Freshman and Benjamin Dorf. She attended Nottingham High School and Syracuse University graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1945. Upon graduation, Phyllis worked as an art teacher in the Norwich, NY school system. In 1947 Phyllis moved to New York City where she studied at the Art Students League with Reginald Marsh. She worked at Brooks Costume Company, on the TV show “Songs for Sale” with Steve Allen, and she was the assistant to the Art Director at Seventeen Magazine. She met and married her husband Edward Marks in 1953. They had a wonderful marriage that lasted 57 years.
Phyllis and Ed lived in White Plains, NY where Phyllis taught elementary school art and exhibited her work through the Westchester Art Workshop. She retired with her husband to Saratoga Springs where they participated actively in many and various community activities including Temple Sinai and the Academy of Lifelong Learning where Phyllis taught for over 20 years.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law Bennett and Anne Marks and their children Aaron and Keinan, all of Carlisle, MA; one daughter Judy of Los Angeles and granddogs Chumley and Charlie.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of Saratoga Springs.
Shiva Minyan was held at Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 8, 9 and 10.
Memorials may be made in Phyllis’ honor to Temple Sinai, PO Box 1045, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the Academy of Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) 111 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
