Obituary of Phyllis Baier

Phyllis Buttler Baier died at the age of 93 (of congestive heart failure) on Friday, July 30, 2021 at The Homestead Rehabilitation Center in Newton, NJ. She was born on Thanksgiving, November 26, 1927 to Hazel Drake Buttler and Irving Ditmars Buttler at Middlesex General Hospital in New Brunswick. She resided in Highland Park for over fifty years before moving to Rossmoor in Monroe Township in 2002. Phyllis Buttler attended Highland Park school system (K-12), except for her sophomore year when she attended Miss Annabelle School in New Brunswick. She graduated in 1945. Prior to her marriage, she graduated in 1949 with honors from NJ College for Women (Douglass College). Following graduation, Phyllis taught Health and Physical Education at New Brunswick High School including after school sports. She initiated the school's modern dance program which performed at other area schools. Phyllis was baptized in New Brunswick First Reformed Church (Town clock church) and was a member until she died. Starting at age 12, Phyllis was active in youth groups and church choirs and later in the women's guild. Phyllis continued to sing in the choirs at Rossmoor Community Church and the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sarasota, FL throughout her life. Her passion for music allowed Phyllis, a soprano, to sing many solos in her churches and other groups. A career highlight was the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1954 with Eugene Ormandy. Phyllis was honored to sing "The Lord's Prayer" at each of her children's weddings. Phyllis and her husband Ted, a prominent bank president, traveled extensively around the States, Europe and the Caribbean. Phyllis was a member of the Jersey Blue Chapter of the DAR, the Trowel Club of New Brunswick and the Women's Auxiliary of the Middlesex General Hospital. From an early age, Phyllis and her older sister, Shirley Buttler Kunderman (predeceased in 2003), enjoyed participating in competitive and synchronized swimming. Their travels took them to county, state and national levels. Phyllis was also an avid bridge player who played with family and friends throughout her adult life and rarely missed the excitement of a good auction. She was often found cheering at athletic events for her children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Edwin (Ted) Woodrow Baier, in 1998. Surviving are her daughter, Beverly B. Keur and her husband Willem "Link" Keur of Augusta, NJ; her son Bruce B. Baier and his wife Megan L. Baier of Sarasota, FL; her daughter Allison K. Baier of South River NJ; her grandchildren Ryan B. Keur and his wife Brittany E. Keur , Randall C. Keur, Travis K. Baier, Brooke K. Baier, Kendall T. Devich and Connor B. Devich and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements will be held on Friday August 6, 2021 at the Selover Funeral Home, 555 Georges Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Visitation will be from 9:30 am – 11:30 am with funeral services immediately following. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, 425 Georges Road, North Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 4150 S. Shade Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231 or Douglass College, Office of Development, College Hall – Room 302, 125 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.