Phyllis Downey-Hartupee

Phyllis Maxine Downey-Hartupee, 91, of Farmington passed away January 2, 2025. She was born January 1, 1934, in Beckley, WV to the late John Reid and Gladys Marguerite (Lawson) McCartney. Phyllis was a member of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Church of Coffman, MO. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, James McCartney and sister, Jacqueline Ventimiglia.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, William W. Hartupee; children, Deborah (Charles) Giessing, Michelle (Dan) Mitchell, Patricia Momot, Colleen Norman, Susan (Patrick) Holmes, John (Susan) Downey, Robert Downey; step-children, Mike (Melinda) Hartupee, David (Donna) Hartupee, Rob Hartupee, Debbie Laffey, Jim (Beth) Gigling, Keith (Debbie) Hartupee; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; son-in-law, Dwayne Momot; dear friends, Marilyn Gegg, Marvin and Linda Verheul of Iowa. Several nieces, nephews, family and friends also survive. 

There are no words that would be considered loving enough, respectful enough or thoughtful enough to speak of our mother.

Phyllis Hartupee (Downey, McCartney) passed away peacefully and quickly in the arms of her husband Bill Hartupee one day after turning 91 years old. If you have ever met Phyllis, you would know that she was proud of her age; as she was happy to share it with every server, at every Cracker Barrel between Farmington, MO and Knoxville, Iowa.

Phyllis is adored by her entire family and is hereby put up for nomination as the “Patron Saint of Selfless Behavior and Household Puttering”. Phyllis started a long life of serving others in a West Virginia coal mining town. She was 7 when her father was killed in a coal mine, and she filled in by taking care of her siblings and Mother. She was relocated to St. Louis where she attended Soldan High School and worked as a waitress at the Parkmoore Drive-In to support her family. It was during this time that “going to the races” (cars) became her treat on a fun night out. 

Phyllis married and had seven children between the years 1952 and 1970. If nothing more were said about her, you should have respect based on that fact alone. She managed not only that chaotic household but also held down jobs as a waitress, factory worker, school lunch lady, caterer, and hospital housekeeper. Everything she ever did was to make life better for everyone else, and always did so with that smile, happy disposition, and with selfless humility!

Later in life Phyllis remarried a longtime friend, Bill, who had lost his wife to cancer years earlier. He started seeing her around, guess where… the racetrack. They first rekindled their old friendship and used that to build a marriage that lasted until her last moment. She became Mrs. Phyllis Hartupee who lived on the beautiful farm Bill had built that was filled with wonders for her to enjoy every day, Including the cows, and their dogs Shad and Sam. She also grew from seven to thirteen children with Bill’s six kids. 

Her grand and great grandchild pool was immense, and she was happy to brag about them, both in quantity and accomplishment. She joined St. Catherines, became a friend to all and once even held the title of “Cinnamon Roll Queen”. By the way, the love of racing never stopped. She and Bill enjoyed many years of traveling to Iowa for sprint car races, staying in their camper and getting pastries in Pella with their friends. A true love, found at the track. Whether you knew Phyllis from seeing her at her job, or she served you at Rosener’s, or you cut her hair, or bowled with her or maybe you worked her favorite check stand at the grocery store… your day was made better by interacting with Phyllis. Every time. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Taylor Chapel in Farmington. Visitation will resume at 8:00 AM until 10:30AM on Friday at the C.Z. Boyer & Son – Taylor Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Coffman. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. View obituary and share condolences online at www.czboyer.com