Phyllis Sandra's Obituary
A Celebration of Life for Phyllis Sandra will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 4-6 pm at Creekside Lodge and Conference Center, located at 6993 Hwy 49 S. Dadeville, Alabama 36853.
Phyllis Sandra, neé Cangelosi, passed away on December 30, 2023, surrounded by family in Opelika, Alabama. She was the life of every party, an enthralling storyteller with an indomitable spirit and inimitable flair who welcomed everyone with the same warmth, whether prominent citizen or wandering stray.
Born in wartime in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Daisy "Peggy" Gore Cangelosi and US Army JAG officer 1st Lt. Theodore "Theo" Francis Cangelosi, on Friday, the 13th of October 1942, the stage was set for Phyllis's life of excitement. The young family returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Phyllis eventually became the oldest of six children. She graduated from LSU Lab School and then went on to Louisiana State University. Named LSU's Student Union President in 1961, Homecoming queen finalist in 1961, and queen of the New Orleans Bards of Bohemia at Mardi Gras in 1962, Phyllis made quite the impression at even a young age. Phyllis married Derwood "Woody" Francis Facundus in 1963. While Woody finished medical school, they moved briefly to New Orleans where their first daughter, Kim, was born, and later to Booneville, Arkansas, to establish a family medical practice, where their second daughter, Lauren, was born.
Phyllis moved to Berkeley, California, to enroll in fine arts classes at The University of California-Berkeley. Named a "sculptress to be reckoned with" by the San Francisco Examiner in 1971, Phyllis lived in an artist loft in a former warehouse and was friends with such artistic legends as sculptor Sid Gordin, potter Peter Voulkos, and artist Annie Williams Voulkos. While there, she founded an original jewelry company called Louisiana Phil which featured her own metalwork creations.
Phyllis often shared that she was saved by the Lord in California which prompted a move back to Louisiana. Ever the adventuress, after a brief stint in Pennsylvania, she tried her hand at ranching in Rand, Colorado, by homesteading Owl Mountain Ranch; but it wasn't long before the Louisiana girl needed to get back to warmer climes. She resettled in Mobile, Alabama, in 1978. Feisty and independent, in the next twenty years, she owned and ran an Italian restaurant in Fairhope; honed her painting abilities and taught art classes; officially changed her name to simply Phyllis Sandra; led parties through her supposedly haunted former plantation home in Magnolia Springs; hunted alligators in a skiff; and sailed to the Bahamas through a tropical storm with her distinctive Danish husband (and master sailmaker) Willy Poulsen as first mate.
Later returning to her roots in Baton Rouge, Phyllis continued to collect and regale new friends and pets, at her exquisite home on College Lake. She continued to paint portraits, some of which were featured in the Old Governor's Mansion Museum. Towards the end of her storied life, she sojourned in Alabama, everywhere making a loveable, memorable splash in her trademark boho skirts and one-of-a-kind jewelry.
An artist by trade and an entertainer by choice, Phyllis loved to be surrounded by people. Her magnetic personality captivated audiences. Young and old flocked to her for the fantastic food, fun, and fellowship, always ending with a chorus of "Three cheers for the cook!" She was happiest when elaborating on her many adventures - including colorful sidekicks and even more colorful villains - adding new embellishments with each rendering. She even embraced aging with panache, calling her hair "sexy silver" and then "wicked white." Phyllis will be greatly missed and left a remarkable impression on all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Willy Poulsen; her parents, Peggy Gore Spacie and Theo Cangelosi; and her brother Teddy Cangelosi. She is survived by one sister, Cheri Cangelosi (Brad Glasco) of San Diego, California; three brothers, Guy Cangelosi (Connie) of Sarasota, Florida, Dale Cangelosi of Hot Springs, Arkansa, and Gary Cangelosi (Terri) of Charlotte, North Carolina; two daughters, Kim Ledbetter (Chuck) of Dadeville, Alabama, and Lauren René of Raleigh, N; five grandchildren, Kira Ledbetter Aaron (Oliver), Page Ledbetter, Kelli Ledbetter Fischer (Jonathan), Erick Thompson, and Julia Thompson; six great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Anne, Charlie, and Laura Margaret Aaron; Alivia Sterling; and Davis and Charlotte Fischer; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider helping with one of these efforts, any of which would honor Phyllis's life and memory. She adored children, supporting the arts, and caring for the needy and wanted to see each of you in heaven. The family greatly appreciates each of you, every prayer, and every contribution to these efforts! 1) Help someone you know who is caring for a needy loved one. 2) Donate to Vision 2026, the effort at Kim's church to reach more children for Christ. A) Go to www.fbcdadeville.com/giving. B) At "Choose your destination", select "Capital Campaign: Vision 2026-FBCDadeville" and complete the form as you wish. 3) Donate to Divine Hope of Grace Orphanage, a beloved ministry that aids orphans and widows in Zambia, Africa. Go to www.divinehopeoa.org/donate.
4) Support an arts education effort in your area.Langley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Phyllis Sandra.
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