Phyllis Adels
August 9, 1933 - June 15, 2015

Phyllis Mirkin Adels passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was 81 years young. Phyllis was born on August 9th, 1933 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Fred and Estelle Mirkin. Her parents worked hard operating a fine grocery store in Tulsa.  Phyllis was close to her grandparents, Abe and Goldie Avery, who immigrated from Russia and lived with the family.  It was a large, close knit, Jewish family full of love, laughter and good food. Phyllis had a passion for tap dance and loved to perform.  Her dream was to be a dancer in New York City. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she pledged Sigma Delta Tau sorority.  While at a fraternity party, she met Morton Adels her future husband.  After one year at OU she transferred to the University of Texas in Austin. Thereafter, she relocated to Houston where her husband was attending medical school.  Phyllis and Morton married on June 28, 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Morton and Phyllis raised four daughters who were truly the center of her life. Devoted and loyal to her "girls", Phyllis defined unconditional love. The bond that they shared was unbreakable. After her divorce in 1972 Phyllis found her strength and independence pursuing a career. After working at Neiman Marcus for five years, she started Phyllis Adels Personal Shopper,Inc.  She helped clients in selecting tasteful gifts, such as unique jewelry and personalized gifts. Later, she created her own company, Phyllis Adels and Executive Advertising Gifts. Her daughter, Jill, joined the business and worked with her for the past 30 years. Phyllis was known for her elegance and impeccable taste. Another side of Phyllis was her creativity and artistic ability.  She studied at the Glassell School of Art and St. Thomas University and was a painter of modern, bright and vibrant canvases. She was an avid supporter of the Museum of Fine Arts. Phyllis enjoyed playing bridge with her close friends and antiquing throughout her life. And, she was known as the "hostess with the mostess" - a wonderful entertainer who loved to give elegant dinner parties. Always the matriarch, Phyllis will remain a strong and guiding inspiration to her children, family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Fred and Estelle Mirkin and her brother, Tony Mirkin.  Phyllis was the most devoted mother to her four daughters, all who survive her, Dawn Adels Fine of Coral Gables, Florida, Nanci Adels Fine, Jill Adels Klaff, and Allison Adels.  Known as "Fifi", Phyllis was also survived by her three grandchildren Tony Fine, Francesca Fine and Katie Estelle Klaff. Phyllis is also survived by her sister, Marilynn Mirkin Wood, nephews Rick Simon and his wife, Sherry, Grant Simon and his wife, Jennifer, and niece, Stacey Simon, Kelly Adels Hess, and her husband, Clive Hess. A funeral service in celebration of Phyllis Adels' life will be held on Friday, June 19 at 1:30 pm at Congregation Beth Israel, The Gordon Chapel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard Houston, Texas where David A. Lyon, Senior Rabbi, and Daniel Mutlu, Cantor, are to officiate. Immediately following the service, the family is to gather for a private interment ceremony at Emanu El Memorial Park. The family requests that in lieu of customary remembrances that contributions in memory of Phyllis Adels  be directed to The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, 303 Jackson Hill Street, Houston, Texas 77007 or to a charity of one's choice.

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