Phyllis Italiano
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Phyllis Italiano | |
|---|---|
| Born | Phyllis Mary Italiano May 26, 1936 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 28, 2024 (aged 88) |
| Alma mater | American University Manhattanville University |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse |
John William Wetzel (divorced) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Anne Bancroft (sister) Mel Brooks (brother-in-law) Max Brooks (nephew) |
Phyllis Mary Italiano (May 26, 1936 – October 28, 2024) was an American politician and teacher.
Early life and education
[edit]Phyllis Mary Italiano was born on May 26, 1936, at the Zerega Avenue section in The Bronx, New York City, as the youngest of three daughters of Michael (1905–2001) and Mildred Italiano (1907–2010).[1] Her sisters were Joanne Perna (1928–2025) and Anne Bancroft (1931–2005), an Academy Awards winning actress for The Miracle Worker (1962).[1][2] Italiano graduated from Christopher Columbus High School where she served as president of her culas and went to American University in Washington, D.C. where she became the first member of her extended Italian family to go to college.[1] She then earned her master's degree from Manhattanville University majoring in elementary education and science education.[1]
Career
[edit]Italiano started her career as a teacher at Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford–Stuyvesant, New York City. She then worked at Yonkers Public School District and earned a certification in education leadership.[1] Italiano also became an assistant principal at the Hostos MicroSociety School in Yonkers, New York, and retired in 2004 to taking care of her sister Anne Bancroft who became ill due to cancer.[1][2] She later became an active Democrat and worked as a district leader, door knocker, and poll watcher.[1] Italiano went on to create The Democratic View, a public access show on LTV which has more than 300 episodes over more than ten years.[1][2]
Personal life
[edit]Marriages, relationships, and children
[edit]Italiano met her first husband, John William Wetzel, while studying at the American University.[1] They married and has had a son, Michael Wetzel, and three daughters, Joanne, Ruth, and Paula Wetzel.[1][2] Their marriage ended up in divorce and she then raised her four children as a single mother.[1] Italiano later got remarried after her youngest children graduated from high school but the marriage ended up in divorce.[1] She then got married for the third times.[1]
Death
[edit]Italiano died at her residence on October 28, 2024, due to cancer at the age of 88 and was cremated.[1]