Phyllis Berman
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Dr. Phyllis Berman, 73, of Syracuse, NY died peacefully at home on Wednesday May 11, 2011, after a long illness.She was born in New York City and lived in Syracuse since 1971. She graduated from City University of New York in 1960 and received her Masters and PhD degrees in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University. She worked in a number of mental health clinics in the Syracuse area and maintained a private practice. She was a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Psychology in Marital and Family Therapy. Dr. Berman was a gifted clinician who was instrumental in bringing the new field of Family Therapy to the Syracuse area as well as to the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. In her role as adjunct professor of Psychology at Syracuse University, she inspired many generations of students with her passion for psychotherapy training. In 2000, the University recognized her achievements by dedicating a bench on the campus in her honor.
Dr. Berman also had a distinguished record of service in the community, serving on the boards of Peace Action, Women Transcending Boundaries, and many others. She was a woman of enormous energy with a sparkling sense of humor whose smile lit up a room. She was deeply devoted to her loving husband, Don, her children, her siblings, her close friends and especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Marshall, her daughters, Madeleine Migenes and Rebecca Migenes, her son, David Berman (Peggy), her stepsons, David Marshall (Julia), Craig Marshall, and Adam Marshall (Kristin); her sisters, Carol Scharff (Matthew) and Denise Hyams; her brothers, Dan Held (Barbara) and Robert Held (Lynn), and her step brother, Arthur Klein (Dolores); her grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Will, Grace, Sylvia, Daniela, Noah, Naomi and Felix and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many treasured friends.
Services will be held at 11am on Monday, May 16 at the Zen Center of Syracuse, 266 W. Seneca Turnpike. Family will receive guests at her home following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Zen Center of Syracuse, 266 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13207, or Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.
For directions to the funeral home, click the link above.
Message of Sympathy
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To Rebecca, Madeleine, and all the rest of Phyllis' beloved family: I was one of those very fortunate graduate students to be taught and clinically supervised by Phyllis in 1977, from the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at SU. In a word, Phyllis was "brilliant". While there was no mistaking that, she was also physically gorgeous and as "open" emotionally as a grad student could want in a mentor. She managed all that and never once missed an opportunity to brag about her children. Such fortunate children, I thought! Phyllis was warm, funny and loved a good laugh. By far, she was everyone's favorite supervisor; I will never forget many of the psychotherapy "gems of wisdom" I received from her, nor her view that it was such an honor to be allowed so deeply into a client's life. Phyllis was so "full of life", it is hard to imagine her passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy of your loss. Susan Hartman Brenizer
Written by Susan Hartman Brenizer
2011-05-15 11:42:35 AM
Rebecca, We are so very sorry for your loss, we know how you cared so very for much for her just from our few conversations.. Mothers are so special, Mary Lou & John
Written by Mary Lou & John Thomasmeyer
2011-05-15 12:25:08 PM
When we were foster parents; one child from an extremely abusive home was very difficult to reach.There was a sudden breakthrough after 2 years. Dr Berman allowed me to bring the girl to her home immediately, although it was 10 p.m.. She helped her more than any one had been ale to do previously. She was truly the best in her field. Our prayers are with you. Belle Brown
Written by Ray and Belle Brown
2011-05-15 5:14:26 PM
Dear Donald, Rebecca & Madeleine & all of Phyllis's family, I am so sorry to hear of Phyllis's passing. She was such a special lady with so many wonderful qualities. I know you will miss her terribly. I am so glad that I happened to run into her at Nature Tyme one day. I hadn't seen her in so long and often wondered how she was. She looked and sounded amazing. I thought she would go on forever. I am very thankful for that day. Her eyes always sparkled but when she was telling me about her grandchildren all of her lit up. She said she was having such a good time spending time with them and especially - spoiling them. She was so proud. I admired and loved her. She was an inspiration to so many. I have never known such a brave woman. She did everything in her power to beat this terrible illness and I really thought she had done it. I am in CO and will not be able to attend the ceremonies, but my heart is there with you. We are all so lucky to have had her in our lives and the memory of her will last forever.(Donald, I love you and I will try to see you when I get home.) With much heart felt sympathy and love, Sandy Laun
Written by Sandy Laun
2011-05-15 9:51:12 AM
Don and Family, Our thoughts are with you at this time of loss. Phyllis was a remarkable person, and is already missed by us all. Her strength during her long ordeal was truly astounding. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy of compassion, intelligence, and beauty.
Written by Dan & Kathryn Rabuzzi
2011-05-16 5:03:16 PM
Dr. Berman was one of the finest human beings I ever knew. Her compassionate and kind spirit were ever present and the world has lost a bright spot. Dr. Berman made everyone around her want to be a better person and she led by example. I will truly miss her and offer her family my most sincere sympathy. I feel honored to have known her.
Written by Mari Ellen Ryan
2011-05-16 7:50:18 AM
I just found this out and my thoughts and prayers go out to Don and their familes. Phyllis was a great,caring person who was respected by many people. I am grateful that I was able to know her and her family.
Written by Eric Taetsch
2011-05-18 8:00:06 PM
My husband and I did not learn of Phyllis's death until Wednesday, May 18th. As I relayed to Phyllis during our last conversation and in a recent note, I shall carry her in my heart for the rest of my life. She is a huge part of the person whom I have become. Phyllis and I talked often about our blessings; she acknowledged that we had enjoyed good families, fine educational opportunities, travels, the arts,literature,inquiring minds,etc. She emphasized the positive with a very practical bent and the ever-present touch of humor. Oh,how we shall miss her! God speed,dear lady.
Written by Constance Belsi
2011-05-18 9:01:22 AM
As Chair of Peace Action of Central New York, I wish to extend condolences on behalf of our organization. Phyllis was on the board of our group and is fondly remembered by many members of our organization for her commitment to peace and social justice and we will aways be grateful to her for the contributions she made to Peace Action.
Written by Gerald Lotierzo
2011-05-21 11:37:16 AM
Such a blessing to the world. Henry Vinson, M.D. Boston, MA
Written by Henry Vinson
2011-07-09 10:05:29 PM
One solution to resolve a distinct segment marketplace is to visit and notice the first merchandise.
Written by VanesaLola VanesaLola
2011-10-09 1:22:32 PM
My husband and I just found out about her passing just recently and I am truly sorry for your loss. I am not in the habit of viewing the obituaries and we only learned of her passing when I had called to schedule an appointment when we hit a rough patch in our marriage. I kept thinking I had the wrong number so when I went online to look up her number I came across the her obituary. She really helped us in the past and I'm really sad that she will no longer be our words of wisdom. She was so sweet and was the kind of person I could have talked to for hours on end. I know you all must really miss her and I hope that you all can come together as a family in your time of grief and remember all your great times with her. She will always be there with you in your hearts and spirits.
Written by Sarah Williams
2011-11-21 2:38:48 AM
Post a Message of Sympathy
To Rebecca, Madeleine, and all the rest of Phyllis' beloved family: I was one of those very fortunate graduate students to be taught and clinically supervised by Phyllis in 1977, from the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at SU. In a word, Phyllis was "brilliant". While there was no mistaking that, she was also physically gorgeous and as "open" emotionally as a grad student could want in a mentor. She managed all that and never once missed an opportunity to brag about her children. Such fortunate children, I thought! Phyllis was warm, funny and loved a good laugh. By far, she was everyone's favorite supervisor; I will never forget many of the psychotherapy "gems of wisdom" I received from her, nor her view that it was such an honor to be allowed so deeply into a client's life. Phyllis was so "full of life", it is hard to imagine her passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy of your loss. Susan Hartman Brenizer
Written by Susan Hartman Brenizer
2011-05-15 11:42:35 AM
Rebecca, We are so very sorry for your loss, we know how you cared so very for much for her just from our few conversations.. Mothers are so special, Mary Lou & John
Written by Mary Lou & John Thomasmeyer
2011-05-15 12:25:08 PM
When we were foster parents; one child from an extremely abusive home was very difficult to reach.There was a sudden breakthrough after 2 years. Dr Berman allowed me to bring the girl to her home immediately, although it was 10 p.m.. She helped her more than any one had been ale to do previously. She was truly the best in her field. Our prayers are with you. Belle Brown
Written by Ray and Belle Brown
2011-05-15 5:14:26 PM
Dear Donald, Rebecca & Madeleine & all of Phyllis's family, I am so sorry to hear of Phyllis's passing. She was such a special lady with so many wonderful qualities. I know you will miss her terribly. I am so glad that I happened to run into her at Nature Tyme one day. I hadn't seen her in so long and often wondered how she was. She looked and sounded amazing. I thought she would go on forever. I am very thankful for that day. Her eyes always sparkled but when she was telling me about her grandchildren all of her lit up. She said she was having such a good time spending time with them and especially - spoiling them. She was so proud. I admired and loved her. She was an inspiration to so many. I have never known such a brave woman. She did everything in her power to beat this terrible illness and I really thought she had done it. I am in CO and will not be able to attend the ceremonies, but my heart is there with you. We are all so lucky to have had her in our lives and the memory of her will last forever.(Donald, I love you and I will try to see you when I get home.) With much heart felt sympathy and love, Sandy Laun
Written by Sandy Laun
2011-05-15 9:51:12 AM
Don and Family, Our thoughts are with you at this time of loss. Phyllis was a remarkable person, and is already missed by us all. Her strength during her long ordeal was truly astounding. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy of compassion, intelligence, and beauty.
Written by Dan & Kathryn Rabuzzi
2011-05-16 5:03:16 PM
Dr. Berman was one of the finest human beings I ever knew. Her compassionate and kind spirit were ever present and the world has lost a bright spot. Dr. Berman made everyone around her want to be a better person and she led by example. I will truly miss her and offer her family my most sincere sympathy. I feel honored to have known her.
Written by Mari Ellen Ryan
2011-05-16 7:50:18 AM
I just found this out and my thoughts and prayers go out to Don and their familes. Phyllis was a great,caring person who was respected by many people. I am grateful that I was able to know her and her family.
Written by Eric Taetsch
2011-05-18 8:00:06 PM
My husband and I did not learn of Phyllis's death until Wednesday, May 18th. As I relayed to Phyllis during our last conversation and in a recent note, I shall carry her in my heart for the rest of my life. She is a huge part of the person whom I have become. Phyllis and I talked often about our blessings; she acknowledged that we had enjoyed good families, fine educational opportunities, travels, the arts,literature,inquiring minds,etc. She emphasized the positive with a very practical bent and the ever-present touch of humor. Oh,how we shall miss her! God speed,dear lady.
Written by Constance Belsi
2011-05-18 9:01:22 AM
As Chair of Peace Action of Central New York, I wish to extend condolences on behalf of our organization. Phyllis was on the board of our group and is fondly remembered by many members of our organization for her commitment to peace and social justice and we will aways be grateful to her for the contributions she made to Peace Action.
Written by Gerald Lotierzo
2011-05-21 11:37:16 AM
Such a blessing to the world. Henry Vinson, M.D. Boston, MA
Written by Henry Vinson
2011-07-09 10:05:29 PM
One solution to resolve a distinct segment marketplace is to visit and notice the first merchandise.
Written by VanesaLola VanesaLola
2011-10-09 1:22:32 PM
My husband and I just found out about her passing just recently and I am truly sorry for your loss. I am not in the habit of viewing the obituaries and we only learned of her passing when I had called to schedule an appointment when we hit a rough patch in our marriage. I kept thinking I had the wrong number so when I went online to look up her number I came across the her obituary. She really helped us in the past and I'm really sad that she will no longer be our words of wisdom. She was so sweet and was the kind of person I could have talked to for hours on end. I know you all must really miss her and I hope that you all can come together as a family in your time of grief and remember all your great times with her. She will always be there with you in your hearts and spirits.
Written by Sarah Williams
2011-11-21 2:38:48 AM
