Phyllis Eleanor Maiorana

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Phyllis Eleanor Maiorana

October 11, 1927 ~ April 18, 2018

Phyllis Eleanor Maiorana passed away peacefully early on April 18, 2018.  She survived three bouts of breast cancer over a period of 24 years and was taken quickly by a second very aggressive cancer, diagnosed only three months prior to her death.  

She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and dear friend to many who will miss her greatly.  The staff at the retirement community said they had never seen anyone draw so many visitors as she did in those last days.

Phyllis was born to Ida and Alexander Dombroski as the seventh of eight children in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 11, 1927.  She graduated from The Rayen High School in 1944 and subsequently worked in the accounting department for Commercial Shearing & Stamping, where she met and married Salvatore (Sam) J. Maiorana, a mechanical engineer, on August 25, 1951. In 1963, they were transferred to Salt Lake City. They enjoyed bridge, bowling and golf as members of the Salt Lake Country Club and Saint Ambrose Catholic Church. They were married for 28 years until 1979, when Sam passed away. As a widow, Phyllis traveled both for pleasure and to help family members in need. She also returned to the workplace for 12 years at the Utah State Crime Lab.

She is survived by her daughters, Joan Maiorana (Jeff McKenna) and Janet Painter (Jeff); grandson Alex Banicki; step-grandson Daniel Painter; sister Dorothy Gwatkin; and brother Robert Dombroski.

She was preceded in death by sisters Josephine Porembski, Vera Dombroski, Alice Stanka and Jean Rudzinski; and brother Chester Dombroski.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

The family wishes to thank the staff members at Highland Cove Retirement and Millcreek Home Health and Hospice for their kindness and support during this difficult time. To honor Phyllis, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, or just do something nice for someone.