Phyllis Roccaforte Boutte (née Nunez), 81, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Friday, July 31, 2026 at The Arboretum of Winnie surrounded by loved ones. Phyllis was born in Port Arthur, Texas on July 29, 1945 to the late Rufus J. Nunez and Rita Broussard Nunez.
Phyllis was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas. Shortly after departing the hallowed halls of TJ, at the age of 18, she married her high school sweetheart, Anthony Jasper Roccaforte. They shared four children together, Steven, Rebecca, Dina, and Leah, and Phyllis found great joy in being a homemaker and stay-at-home mother for the majority of their childhood. As the children grew, Phyllis began to share her generous spirit with others, working as the Director of Religious Education at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Port Arthur, Texas for 11 years and then as a Bridal Consultant at Nacol’s Jewelry, where she helped numerous brides choose china and crystal patterns for their wedding registries. As her children began to welcome children of their own, she graduated to the role of “Granny” and spent her time loving and supporting her seven grandchildren in their various endeavors.
After the sudden passing of her late-husband, Anthony, Phyllis found love again with William “Bill” Jude Boutte of Port Neches, Texas. They married and spent nearly 17 years enjoying life with one another.
Phyllis loved quality time with the people most important to her – her family and friends. Many Sundays were spent over a giant pot of spaghetti sauce or a gumbo that she would serve up to her family after church. Phyllis enjoyed getting together for lunches and dinners with her high school girlfriends and her dear friends from Nacol’s. Going out dancing and playing card games were favorite pastimes – with Skip-Bo being a family favorite. Christmas was Phyllis’s favorite holiday and she was known for her annual display that boasted five Christmas trees and an extensive collection of Santa Claus figurines. Phyllis will be remembered for her warmth and kind heart, her infectious laugh, and vibrant personality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.
Those left to cherish Phyllis’s memory are her son, Steven Roccaforte of College Park, Maryland; her daughter, Rebecca Roccaforte Dunn, and her husband, John of Orangefield, Texas; her daughter, Dina Roccaforte Stepan, and her husband, Dwayne of Groves, Texas; her daughter, Leah Roccaforte Drullinger, and her partner, Louis Reinhardt of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, Alexandra Dunn, Victoria Roccaforte, Tristan Dunn, Corbin Stepan and his wife, Lauren, Lucien Roccaforte, Riley Drullinger, and Sofia Roccaforte; step-son, Todd Boutte; step-daughter, Traci Ling and her husband, Devin; seven step-grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren; nephew, Craig Collins; dear friend Diane Hemmenway and her husband, Butch; and numerous loving family members and friends. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony, and later by her second husband, Bill; her parents, Rufus and Rita; and her sister, Sandra Collins, and her husband, Howard.
Phyllis’s family extends their deepest gratitude to Brenda, Alex, and the many other nurses and staff members at The Arboretum of Winnie who cared for Phyllis in her final years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, TX 77701 or at Phyllis Roccaforte Boutte's Team Page on the Alzheimer Association's website.
