Phyllis R. Stierstorfer
Phyllis R. Stierstorfer 4/5/2026 – 5/14/2022 Phyllis R. Stierstorfer, 96, died peacefully at home in Milton,
MA, on Saturday May 14 in the company of her family. She was a longtime resident of Allentown before moving to live with family in Milton. Born in Harrisburg, she spent her childhood there and in Lancaster. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education. She was happily married for 55 years to Max J. Stierstorfer, Jr., MD, whom she met while working in the Penn State library.
While her husband was pursuing his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, she taught health and physical education and coached
girls’ sports in Lancaster and at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia, where she loved her work. Later she managed her husband’s general medical practice on the east side of Allentown for 42 years. The most important part of Phyllis’ life was caring, in a multitude of ways, for her immediate and extended family. We are forever grateful for her love and unwavering support. She enjoyed sports of all kinds, including playing tennis and skiing, watching her daughters figure skate and son play baseball, and vacationing by the sea in Stone Harbor, NJ with her family. At the shore, she flawlessly served dinners for big crowds every night. Reflecting her lifelong dedication
to helping others, she volunteered as Midway Manor School PTA president; classroom helper for Head Start and for Allentown and East Penn school districts; soup kitchen helper for Christ Church U.C.C. of Bethlehem; member of vestry
and various committees for St. John’s Lutheran Church of Allentown; and ran various national and community fund drives.
She is predeceased by her husband Max; mother Blanche K. Reigle; father C. Brooks Reigle; and sister Suzanne R. Schneider. Phyllis is survived by three children and their families: Sally (Stierstorfer) Iles and her husband John Iles of Milton, MA; Leslie (Stierstorfer) Heffron of Rockport, MA and her daughter; and Michael B. Stierstorfer, MD of Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn R. Crichlow of Hanover, NH.
Condolences may be sent to the home she shared with her daughter Sally and son-in-law Jack at 105 Patricia Dr., Milton, MA 02186. Those wishing to make gifts in Phyllis’ memory may
do so to Christ Church U.C.C., 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. There will be a private service and celebration of her life this Fall.