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Phyllis Parcells passed away on July 3 at the age of 86 at Mease Countryside Hospital in Palm Harbor, Florida after a brief illness. Phyllis was born March, 2 1934, in New Haven. She was the daughter of Alfred and Pauline Parcells of New Haven. She leaves behind two brothers, Robert (deceased) and Alan Parcells of Madison; a longtime special friend and companion Bernice Halfon (deceased); nieces and nephews Robert (Beth) Parcells, Paula (Edward) Wendland, David (deceased) Parcells, and Christopher (Amy) Parcells; and grandnieces and grandnephews Edward, Eric Wendland, Sarah, William Parcells, Mathew, Jenna Parcells, Mason, Hannah Parcells.

She will be most remembered for her distinguished 26-year United States Air Force (USAF) career in the Air Force (AF) Nurse Corps. Her career spanned 26 years as an Air Force staff nurse at Stead Air Force Base (AFB), Reno, Nevada, Clark AFB, Philippines, and Westover AFB, Springfield, Massachusetts. She then became a flight nurse at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Next assignment took her to Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska as a charge nurse for Pediatric, and Emergency services. While there, she witnessed the great 1964 Alaska earthquake. Next assignment was to Otis AFB, Cape Cod where she once again was charge nurse for Emergency services. Moving on she then came home to be the AF nurse advisor at Air Force Recruiting Service, New Haven from 1970 to 1971.

During the Vietnam War, she was once again assigned to the Philippines as the chief nurse, where she supervised 58 flight nurses whose mission was to evacuate wounded soldiers out of Vietnam for specialized care at military facilities throughout the Far East. She was awarded the Air Force Air Medal for flying 5O missions over enemy fire. Upon returning to the United States, she was assigned to Altus AFB, Oklahoma as the chief nurse and promoted to colonel. Another chief nurse assignment took her to sunny Florida at Homstead AFB, Florida. Next a great opportunity developed to be part of Inspector General Team where she traveled throughout the United States and overseas inspecting military hospitals for compliance to standards set forth by the Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation. In her last assignment, she was assigned as chief nurse at MacDill AFB, Florida, where she retired after an exciting 26-year career.

In addition to the AF Air Medal, Colonel Parcells was awarded numerous military medals, including the Meritorious Service, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Air Force Longevity Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign. During her retirement in Palm Harbor, Florida, Colonel Parcells enjoyed many rounds of golf, winning numerous trophies. She was also active in various military and civilian organizations such as the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the Society of Air Force Nurses (SAFN); she held various officer positions in these organizations.

Services were held at Curlew Hills Funeral Home on July 11 in Palm Harbor, Florida. Burial at a future date will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Contributions can be made to Women’s Memorial Foundation, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22203.