She was born in New York City on Nov. 3, 1956, to Joseph C. and the late Mary Phayer.

She was graduated from Marymount School, Rome, Italy, and Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt., and did graduate work at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.

She is survived by her father, her stepmother, Alberta Phayer, her sister, Patricia Prause and her husband Teddy, of Charleston, two brothers and their wives, Dennis J. and Connie Phayer and Kevin and Karen Phayer of New Orleans, two step brothers, David and Rick Beauchamp, and a step sister, Elizabeth Jarosz. She also had four nieces: Molly Phayer, Hillary Phayer, Brenna Marie Kearon and Meaghan Kearon. &bsp;

As she was a frequent visitor to Tryon, a memorial service will be held in Tryon at a later date.&bsp; Contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen, Columbus, N.C. 28722.