Phyllis Dale Palabrica

February 23, 1961 – Phyllis Dale Palabrica, age 56, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 5, 2017. A native Delawarean, Phyllis was born in Wilmington on February 23, 1961, and was the daughter of the late Willis O. Preston, Jr. and Susanne Keil Preston. She was a graduate of Thomas McKean High School in Wilmington. Phyllis made her career as the executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans Association – Colonial Chapter, where she worked for the past 30 years. Additionally, she helped found the the Veteran’s Hope Thrift Shop in Elkton. Active in her community, Phyllis was a tireless volunteer, giving of her time and talents to help those less fortunate. She served as the past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post 8175 and was a longtime member of both the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 851, Elkton and American Legion Cecil Post 15, Elkton. In her leisure time, Phyllis loved riding and caring for her horses, Gunner, Shadow, and Fancy, and spending time with her constant canine companions, Boomer and Cleo. Like her Father, she was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Above all else, she adored being in the company of her family and friends, especially her precious granddaughter, Mackenzie. Phyllis will be remembered as a loving and devoted daughter, wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many. She was preceded in death by her father, Willis. Phyllis is survived by her mother, Susanne Keil Preston; husband of ten years, John Lyle Palabrica, Sr.; children, Michelle Dale Krayer (Nicholas M. Krayer) and Dominick Matthew Dale (Jennifer Marie Beddor); stepchildren, John Lyle Palabrica, Jr. (Erin Cathleen Bernando) and Brian Michael Palabrica (Meghan Garman Palabrica); 2 brothers; 2 sisters; and granddaughter, Mackenzie Susanne Krayer. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, 19711 where a funeral service will begin at 12:30 pm. A luncheon will follow at the VFW Elkton Memorial Post 8175, 208 W. High St., Elkton, MD 21921. Interment will be private. Go Steelers!