Phyllis A. Stephenson-Blackburn

Phyllis A. Stephenson – Blackburn, age 85, passed peacefully from this world on July 24, 2024. She was born in Columbus, Ohio to Chester “Steve” and Goldie Stephenson. She graduated from The Ohio State University with her BS and MD degrees and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Her post -graduate work was as an intern and resident in internal medicine at Cornell’s Division of Bellevue Hospital in New York City. After finishing her Specialty training and year of research in Oncology at Sloan Kettering Memorial Institute for Cancer in New York City, she moved with her first husband, Frank W. Moreau, M.D. to Sarasota, FL in 1969, to start a family. She had an astounding career as a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist. She was the first Medical Oncologist North of Miami in the state of Florida for a number of years and consulted at Venice, Manatee Memorial, and Blake Hospitals. At Sarasota Memorial Hospital, she was instrumental in getting the first “cell separator” for platelets for the Blood Bank, starting the first Oncology unit, and removing cigarette machines and banning smoking in the hospital in the 1970’s. She was director of the then operating “ Tumor Clinic (1970-74) and started the Tumor Committee Meetings in 1971 which continues today. In Sarasota County, she ran a successful private practice as well as being involved in founding the Hospice of Southwest Florida (now Tidewell Hospice) and serving as its Medical Advisor and on the Board of Directors. She was on the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital in the 1980’s. She was a volunteer of the American Cancer Society locally and was President of the Board of Directors on 2 occasions. Statewide she served on many American Cancer Society committees and was chairman of the Research Committee for Florida. In 1980, she became the President and Chairman of the Board of the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society. She remained active as an Honorary Life member of the Board for over ten years. She had received the statewide HOPE Award and the National St. George Award for leadership in cancer control and treatment. She was one of nine oncologists who founded the Florida Society for Clinical Oncology in 1977 and was the President of FLASCO in 1986. Nationally she was considered a founding member in 1968 of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and was on its nominating committee in the 1980s. She became an Emeritus member in 2005. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 from Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the Keystone Award from The Wellness Community (Cancer Support) in 2004. The Komen Award was given to her in 2006. She was a member of the Sarasota County Medical Society, Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Since her retirement from Florida Cancer Specialists, she volunteered at the Senior Friendship Center’s Medical Clinic and stayed active at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Tumor Conference, was on the Blood Bank Committee, and the Palliative Care Committee for years. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her loving husband V. Alan Blackburn who she married in 2009. Phyllis was a loving and devoted mother to her 3 children who she described as her described her “crowning glories:” Her eldest son Stephenson “Steve” J. Moreau, wife Wendy, and their son Seth; Her daughter Catherine Moreau Haynes DVM, husband Jason, and their sons Eli and Everett; Her Youngest son Michael W. Moreau and his son Gareth. She is also survived by her stepchildren David Blackburn with wife Ruth and their son Sam; and Susan Blackburn Krumlauf. A visitation service will be held at Toale Brothers Funeral Home -Colonial Chapel, 40 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL on Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 2 pm to 4 pm. A mass will be held at Incarnation Catholic Church 2929 Bee Ridge Rd. Sarasota, FL on Monday, July 29, 2024 at 9:30am. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests that donations are made to The Senior Friendship Center Health Services, The American Cancer Society, and The Salvation Army.

Tributes

Phyllis A. Stephenson-Blackburn

July 24, 2024