Phyllis Jeanne Moriarty
August 12, 1929 - January 3, 2026
Phyllis Jeanne Cremers Moriarty passed away on January 3, 2026, at Bradbury Commons in Ponca City, OK. She was 96 years old. Viewing will be from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 7, at Trout Funeral Home. A Rosary Service will follow at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 8. Burial will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. A lunch for family members will be provided after the burial. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory, 505 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City, OK 74601. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com, and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St Mary’s School Endowment Fund, 707 E. Ponca Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601 or the Ponca City Alzheimer’s Support Group.
Phyllis was born in Ponca City, OK on August 12, 1929, to Barbara (Glaser) and Henry Cremers. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, graduating in 1947. Phyllis worked at the Ponca City Library and at several local drugstores during her younger years before accepting a position with Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator. Later, she accepted a job with Conoco in the Communications Department as a telephone operator. She often said that her time working as an operator was her favorite job. While at Conoco, she also worked in the Personnel Records Department for many years. Her final move was a transfer to the Janitorial Department which allowed her to assist in providing care for her aging father. She retired from Conoco in 1985.
Phyllis married John Michael “Mike” Moriarty at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on January 7, 1956. After stops in Houston, TX and Newkirk, OK, they made their home in Ponca City. Along the way, Phyllis and Mike became the parents of four children. Phyllis loved being a mom and was usually up for almost anything that might be fun for her family. And as a farm girl that never fully accepted moving into town, she advocated for a variety of pets for her children ranging from the usual dogs, cats, and fish, to the more unusual such as a skunk, a raccoon, a squirrel, chickens, quail, and various snakes and spiders.
Phyllis enjoyed dancing, traditional country music, large gatherings with her siblings and their children, and spending time with her grandkids. She was an active volunteer for her church on efforts ranging from leading fundraisers for St Mary’s School to scheduling meals and visits for shut ins. She and Helen Bloxsom also hosted the Alzheimer’s support group in Ponca City for many years. Phyllis was happiest when she was helping others.
Phyllis was very thankful for her best friend, Lucy Nelson of Ponca City. For many years, Lucy showed Phyllis so much love and kindness and provided her with so much support, until God was ready to take her home.
Phyllis is survived by her four children, Lynn Coburn and her husband Fred of Skiatook, Mike Moriarty and his wife Janney of Ponca City, Maureen Wolfe and her husband Melvin of Perry, and Brian Moriarty and his wife Kathy of Sperry. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law, Linda Cremers of Ponca City and Linda Moriarty of Riverton WY, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to losing her husband Mike in April of 2002 after 47 years of marriage, Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Barbara Cremers, sister Cordelia Lynn, sister Betty Massaro and her husband Edward, brother August “Laddie” Cremers and his wife Betty, brother Ronald Cremers, a special sister in law Kenny Lou Cremers, great granddaughter Bridget Moriarty, and nephews Steven Cremers, Ted Thomas, Greg Cremers, Jimmy Joe Moriarty, and John Cullen Moriarty.
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