Stepmother of Harvard resident

Phyllis Sassaman (Courtesy photo)

Phyllis L. Sassaman, of Northumberland, Penn., stepmother of Patricia Jennings, of Harvard, died Jan. 2, 2012. She was born June 8, 1918, in Kratzerville, Penn., one of seven children to the late James and Della Lepley. Phyllis was married to Don Head, who preceded her in death, and later to Fred Sassaman, who also preceded her in death. She attended a one-room schoolhouse at Beaver Hill, graduated from Selinsgrove High School, and attended college classes in Williamsport.

Phyllis spent her World War II years at the Naval Department in Washington, D.C., where she wrote travel orders for military personnel. She was very proud of her contributions to the war effort and passed on stories of warnings that “loose lips sink ships” and “the walls have ears.”

Phyllis is survived by her stepdaughters Patricia Jennings of Harvard and Ina Fricke, of Mesa, Ariz. Patricia has two daughters, Lynn Alice Jennings of Portland, Ore., and Della Lepley Jennings of Harvard, Mass.; and two granddaughters, Patrice Jennings Mitchell and Meaghan Jennings Mitchell. Ina has four sons, Bruce, Douglas, Randolph, and Mark, and numerous grandchildren. A memorial service will be held for Phyllis in the spring.