Phyllis Ganser

Phyllis Ganser was a school volunteer and grammarian who could hold extensive discussions on the semicolon. Ms. Ganser was well known for her work at schools in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202. She earned a Master of Library Science from Rosary College (now known as Dominican University), worked as a freelance editor for medical association journals, and helped compile and edit indexes for publications ranging from drug guides and nursing journals to textbooks. "She just had a very incisive mind and could do wonders with indexes, which is not everyone's cup of tea. She took pleasure in it, even if it made my eyes glaze over," said Helen Walker, a friend of Ms. Ganser's and a board member of District 202. Ms. Ganser had a wide range of interests, from bluegrass music to Shakespearean theater, but could find fascination in almost anything, Walker said--even writing indexes. While volunteering with the Parent Teacher Associations at her children's school and the PTA's umbrella group in Evanston and Skokie, Ms. Ganser served as PTA president at Walker School in Skokie, worked on the elementary school district curriculum advisory council, and the Walker School improvement team. She was remembered for the way she asked questions, Walker said. The PTA Council established this award to honor the memory of Phyllis Ganser, an outstanding PTA volunteer who set a high standard through her dedication to serve all children. At the time of her death in January 2000, Phyllis had children at Walker, Chute, and ETHS.