Phyllis McCabe was born in Flushing, New York and moved to Tillson when she was 5 years old. After graduating from Kingston High School in 1968, she received an Associate Degree from Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers. All during this time, although she had no formal training in photography, Phyllis enjoyed taking family photographs. In fact, the first camera she owned was won on a wheel of chance at a Tillson firemen's bazaar.

T.R. Gallo, the late City of Kingston Mayor, writes of Phyllis McCabe, "That she has chosen to compile a commemorative portrait of our city is a gift to all of us. Her freshness of approach, her empathy for the subject and her obvious enthusiasm are all evident on each page of this beautiful volume and makes it a keepsake to enjoy today and treasure for many years to come."

Artist and fellow Kingstonian Elizabeth Mowry writes of her friend, "The photographs speak to the viewer of an exquisite craftsmanship that is able to show us today a limitless future potential...The images here are astounding in their ability to extract emotion for a poetic sense of place."

In the early 1970's her interest turned toward landscapes and she joined the Woodstock Photographers Co-op. She also became the first photographer member of the Ulster County Artists Association and a member of the Marbletown Artists Association. In 2007 Kingston Mayor James Sottile honored Phyllis by naming her Kingston's Photographer Laureate. She is a former board member of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Kingston Library .

Phyllis has had numerous exhibitions of her photographs, including the Center for Photography at Woodstock and the Salamungi Club in New York City. Her award-winning photos have appeared on calendars and covers of magazines and books. They are also in numerous collections, both private and business. An avid traveler, she has journeyed around the United States, Canada, Europe and China and brought home her perspectives for people to experience.