Phyllis Ann Mast, 94, of Independence, Missouri, passed away March 18, 2026, in Winter Haven, Florida.

She was born May 3, 1931, in rural Ray County, Missouri, to Alva Mansur and Sarah (Pence) Mansur, and grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri. She was one of three daughters and shared a lifelong close bond with her sisters, Dolores and Marilyn.

Phyllis graduated from Central Missouri State College (now the University of Central Missouri), where she was a member of Pi Kappa Sigma. She attended the United Methodist Church and held a strong Methodist faith throughout her life. Her first job at a local candy counter sparked a lifelong love of sweets. She later worked at Whiteman Air Force Base, where she met her future husband, Norman P. Mast.

Phyllis married Norman on May 26, 1956, at the United Methodist Church in Warrensburg. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the Kansas City area and settled in Independence, Missouri, where they made their lifelong home and raised their two children, Suzy and Jeff.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker who took great pride in caring for her family. Phyllis was known for having dinner on the table promptly at 5 p.m. each evening and for thoughtfully managing the household. She made it a priority to be present in her children's lives, attending school activities, Boy Scouts events, and band performances.

Phyllis was especially known for her Christmas cookies, baking a wide variety each year that became a cherished tradition for her family. Only later did she reveal her secret of preparing them months in advance and freezing them to ensure a steady supply throughout the holiday season.

After raising her children, Phyllis dedicated many years as a volunteer at the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, where she formed lasting friendships and shared her knowledge with visitors. She maintained a weekly lunch tradition with her fellow volunteers and remained active and engaged in her community.

Phyllis had a curious mind and loved staying informed by reading the newspaper and watching the news daily. She enjoyed exploring new restaurants, especially when hosting family, and took pride in introducing others to her favorite places. Her hobbies included cross-stitching, where she even served as a model stitcher for a local shop, along with crafts, puzzles, shopping, watching game shows, collecting carousels, and enjoying ice cream (with a firm preference for anything but chocolate).

She is survived by her children, Suzanne Mast Lee and her husband Wilfredo Lee, and Jeffrey Mast and his wife Jennifer Lovesee-Mast.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman P. Mast; her parents, Alva and Sarah Mansur; and her sisters, Marilyn Boyd and Dolores (Mansur) Kitterman and her husband Jay Kitterman.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026, at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens.

Phyllis will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her thoughtful and steady presence, her curiosity about the world, and the many small traditions that brought joy to those around her.