Phyllis White Cherbonnier OBITUARY

Phyllis White Cherbonnier OBITUARY

Phyllis White Cherbonnier died peacefully at home in Winnetka, IL, in her daughter’s arms on October 7, 2026, a few weeks short of her 105th birthday. She was born in St. Louis, MO, on October 30th, 1921, to Maria Bain White and Dr. Park Jerauld White. She is a graduate of the John Burroughs School, Bryn Mawr College and Union Theological Seminary. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, the Rev. Dr. Edmond LaBeaume Cherbonnier. She is survived by her sister Katherine White Drescher; her two children: Laurie Goodwin Cherbonnier (J. Christopher Nielsen) and Camden LaBeaume Cherbonnier (Mary Meyer); and four Grandchildren: Emily and Genevieve Nielsen and Kellie (Jo) and Amy Cherbonnier.

She spent most of her life between Hartford, CT, where her husband taught at Trinity College, and London. She exemplified the advice of Sydney Smith: “Do your best with a gay and careless heart.” She was a voracious reader who loved travel, especially to France, tennis, paddle tennis and bridge. A funeral service was held in St. Louis, after which she was buried next to her husband at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60601-5224, tel.800-486-8844, or www.ifcj.org.