Phyllis C. Rogier, accounting/payroll clerk in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, died Feb. 21, 2009, of a heart attack at her home in St. Louis. She was 55.
Rogier had been at the University since 1994, when she worked as a sales assistant in the Campus Store in Mallinckrodt Student Center. She joined the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science in May 1997 as an accounting purchasing assistant.
She was named an assistant accountant II in the School of Engineering in 2003, and she joined the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences July 5, 2007, as accounting/payroll clerk.
Rogier was a daughter of Phyllis Craig, who worked in Accounting Services from 1982 until her retirement in 1998. Craig died in November 2004.
Louise M. Neeley, accounting coordinator in the graduate school who hired Rogier, said she first met Rogier more than 19 years ago through working with her mother.
“Phyllis had a very strong work ethic, like her mom — the apple did not fall far from the tree,” Neeley said. “She was always very conscientious and strived to do the best job she could — and she did a great job! She was a wonderful co-worker and assistant. I have been blessed to have had both of these exceptional people for dear friends and to have worked with them.
“Phyllis had such a beautiful spirit,” Neeley said. “She made friends everywhere. She was a people person. She had a great big, kind heart. She had a great energy to her, a wonderful smile and light in her eyes. She will be missed by so many.”
“Outside of the graduate school and School of Engineering, there are many others who do student payroll in the Arts & Sciences departments who are saddened by Phyllis’ death,” said Nancy P. Pope, Ph.D., associate dean in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Pope said that Rogier approved the majority of payroll documents entered by a department for a graduate student in Arts & Sciences. To do so, she frequently talked with departmental staff persons, who have been e-mailing the graduate school their condolences, offering to help with Rogier’s work and asking how they can show their support to her family.
Neeley added that Rogier’s life outside work revolved around her adult children.
“Phyllis’ life was her children. She was a very devoted mother and loved her children so very much. She was so proud and always beamed when talking about them,” Neeley said.
Among the survivors are two daughters, Stefanie Rogier of Columbia, Mo., and Andrea Rogier; two sons, Joshua and Christopher Rogier; and one sister, Loretta Lavelle, all of St. Louis.
A funeral service was held Feb. 27 at Kutis City Chapel in St. Louis.