Phyllis Grace Angell (Foix) passed peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the age of 92. A long-time resident of Sarasota since her move from St. Paul, Minnesota, Phyllis lived life surrounded by family and friends who cherished her greatly. Born and raised in St. Paul, she cultivated strong connections, especially with her friends Norma Spingola and Loretta Miller, after they graduated high school together.
Following their graduation, Phyllis and Norma embarked on a memorable cross-country trip to California to meet up with Loretta, where she met her future husband, Donald. Their marriage lasted for 42 years until his passing, which left a significant void in her life. The bond among Phyllis, Norma, and Loretta was irreplaceable, highlighted by many adventures together to entertaining locations such as Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas, and even onboard a cruise to Alaska.
Phyllis had two musical icons who she adored: Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole, reflecting her vibrant and passionate spirit. She also had green thumbs, possessing remarkable skills for nurturing plants, displaying her love for nature. Phyllis and Donald shared fond memories of the mountains of North Georgia and Western North Carolina, where they frequently retreated to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the outdoors.
Her professional life revolved around early childhood education, where she worked as a preschool assistant at the Church of The Palms Presbyterian Preschool located in Sarasota. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald, her beloved stepdaughter Yvonne, and her siblings Roland Jr. and Joan, as well as her treasured friends Norma and Loretta. She leaves behind four loving children: Gary Angell, Daryl Angell, Ramona Angell-Dodds (Mark), and Charlene Baker (Brian), alongside ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Phyllis strongly embodied the values of her lifelong Catholic faith.
Friends and community members are invited to attend the funeral mass service honoring Phyllis, scheduled for Saturday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Incarnation Catholic Church, located at 2929 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life held immediately after the mass in the church hall. All are welcome to partake, and for those unable to attend physically, services will be live-streamed and recorded. The link to the stream can be accessed via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@incarnationcatholicchurchs2764/streams.
Meanwhile, the Angell name is also making headlines due to the unfortunate business developments surrounding Angell, the French brand known for its connected electric bicycles. Marc Simoncini, the company’s founder famous for launching the dating platform Meetic, has announced plans to file for insolvency shortly, signaling what seems to be the demise of the business.
Reports from Le Figaro indicate Simoncini is preparing to declare payment cessation, which will most likely lead to the liquidation of Angell, marking this as a crushing setback for the entrepreneur. Despite his previous successes, Simoncini's recent venture has turned out to be less fruitful as the company struggles to navigate its financial challenges.
Christina Marie Angell also recently passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 58, surrounded by her loving family in Westminster, Maryland. Known for her dynamic, fun-loving spirit, Christina had an immense love for animals and cherished her time spent by the ocean, especially during family outings to Ocean City, enhancing the warmth of her family's bond with joyful memories.
Both Phyllis and Christina Angell embodied the resilient spirit of family, friendship, and community, leaving legacies of love and remarkable stories behind. Their passing not only marks the end of remarkable lives but also urges loved ones and community members to honor their memories and contributions.