Phyllis Italiano

Phyllis Mary Italiano (May 26, 1936 – October 28, 2024) was an American politician and teacher. She is best known for creating The Democratic View, a public access show on LTV which host over 300 episodes for more than ten years.

Phyllis Italiano
Born	Phyllis Mary Italiano (1936-05-26)May 26, 1936 New York City, U.S.
Died	October 28, 2024(2024-10-28) (aged 88) East Hampton, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	American University Manhattanville University
Occupations	Politician teacher
Spouse	John William Wetzel ​ (divorced)​
Children	4
Relatives	Anne Bancroft (sister) Mel Brooks (brother-in-law) Max Brooks (nephew)

Early life and education

Phyllis Mary Italiano was born on May 26, 1936, at the Zerega Avenue section in The Bronx, New York City, as the youngest of three daughters of Michael (1905–2001) and Mildred Italiano (1907–2010).^[1] Her sisters were Joanne Perna (1928–2025) and Anne Bancroft (1931–2005), an Academy Awards winning actress for The Miracle Worker (1962).^[1][2] Italiano graduated from Christopher Columbus High School where she served as president of her class and went to American University in Washington, D.C. where she became the first member of her extended Italian family to go to college.^[1] She then earned her master's degree from Manhattanville University majoring in elementary education and science education.^[1]

Career

Italiano started her career as a teacher at Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford–Stuyvesant, New York City. She then worked at Yonkers Public School District and earned a certification in education leadership.^[1] Italiano also became an assistant principal at the Hostos MicroSociety School in Yonkers, New York, and retired in 2004 to take care of her sister Anne Bancroft, who became ill due to cancer.^[1][2] She later became active in the Democratic Party and worked as a district leader, door knocker, and poll watcher.^[1] Italiano created The Democratic View, a public access show on LTV, hosting over 300 episodes over a period of more than ten years.^[1][2]

Personal life

Marriages, relationships, and children

Italiano met her first husband, John William Wetzel, while studying at the American University.^[1] They married and has had a son, Michael Wetzel, and three daughters, Joanne, Ruth, and Paula Wetzel.^[1][2] Their marriage ended in divorce and she raised her four children as a single mother.^[1] Italiano later remarried after her youngest children graduated from high school, but again ended in divorce.^[1] She then married a third time.^[1]

Death

Italiano died at her residence in East Hampton, New York, on 28 October 2024 due to cancer at the age of 88, and was cremated.^[1]