Phyllis Gassert

Phyllis Gassert, 88, of West Reading, passed peacefully in her residence on February 23, 2015.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lee F. Gassert. She was predeceased by her parents, Barnett and Sarah (Rich) Cohen; a brother, Harry Cohen; a sister, Fay Bond; and a nephew, Michael Bond, all from England.

Phyllis was a 1941 graduate of Dalston Central High School, England. She was born in London, England, and met Lee when he was stationed in Paris during WWII. They married in 1946. As a war bride, she came to the United States, before the end of the war, and lived with her new relatives until Lee arrived home. She became a United States Citizen in the 1950's and worked at Talbot Knitting Mills, retiring in 1958, to raise her children. She was one of the founding members and one-time President of the Reading Redcoats, a grass-roots organization that was formed by other English war brides in the area. Many still gather for luncheons every couple of months. She was a caring and giving person who taught her family the importance of not judging others and to be kind to people. She learned to make traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meals early on. She also hosted and cooked the holiday dinners for her family into her 80's.

She is also survived by her daughter, Susie Olson Dahms and her husband Doug, of Oley; her son, Barry Gassert, Indonesia; her grandson, Jesse Olson and girlfriend Danielle; her granddaughter, Stephanie Bowling and her husband Wilson from California, and her granddaughter, Kristin Murphy from Horsham. She had five great-grandchildren: Patrick, Austin, Ashtyn, Jeremy and Travis. Also surviving is a nephew, Martin Bond; and a niece, Susan Bond, both from England; two great-nephews, Philip Bond and his wife Belinda and daughter Grace from Adalaide; and Stefan Bond and his wife Lynette and daughter Daisy from Dubai; two nephews, Maynard Koch and his wife, Elaine; John Koch and his wife, Cheryl; and two nieces, Judy Hartman and Nancy Schaeffer, all local.

She was very close with her extended family, Karen O'Brien and husband Don of Wyomissing; Kent Olson and his wife Carol Ann and daughter Kayla of Kempton; Andy O'Brien and his wife Christine from Vermont; Matt O'Brien and his wife Jennifer and son Wyatt of Exeter; and Kate O'Brien from Philadelphia.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 19, at 2:00 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, 19611. Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Friends and family are invited after the services to Wyomissing Family Restaurant for a celebration of Phyllis' life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL, 60693. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.