Obituary of Phyllis A. Campbell

Phyllis A. Campbell, a longtime Madison resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Garden Terrace in Chatham. She was 99.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Judith Campbell of Madison; two granddaughters, Christine Preston and her husband Michael; the Hon. Samantha Elliott and her husband Matthew; one grandson, Bryan Campbell and his wife Elena; five great-grandchildren whom she adored, Delia Preston, Fiona Elliott, Ben Preston, Sarah Kate Preston, and Henry Elliott; her daughter-in law, Shana Campbell, and family; and many dear friends at Juniper Village. 

In addition to her parents, Phyllis was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Matthew J. Campbell, DDS; her two sons, Mark Campbell and Paul Campbell; one granddaughter, Kathryn Stanley; and one great-granddaughter, Kathryn Preston. 

Phyllis was born on Staten Island on November 25, 1924 to the late Helen Hegarty Lotz and Edward Lotz. She was raised with her brother and two sisters in a large multigenerational family in the close-knit West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island.

Phyllis married her husband Dr. Matthew J. Campbell on December 28, 1946. They lived in the Georgetown section of Washington DC while Matty completed dental school and they welcomed their daughter Judy. They eventually settled back on Staten Island where they welcomed sons Mark and Paul, and Matty started his dental practice. They enjoyed many adventures there with Phyllis’s sister and brother-in-law Bobo and Lou McNally, their children, and many other friends and relatives. Phyllis was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Staten Island for many years and was also a member of the mother’s guild of Augustinian Academy.  

After many joyous years focused on her children, Phyllis decided to return to school, graduating from Richmond College, now known as the College of Staten Island, at the age of 54. She had a long career as a volunteer coordinator, first with Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center in New York City and then with Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island. 

After her husband Matty’s death in 1991, Phyllis moved to New Jersey to be closer to her daughter Judy and family. During that time, she began another career, commensurate with her acute sense of fashion, as a sales associate at Burberry in the Short Hills Mall. She enjoyed this job and the friendships she made with her clients and colleagues. 

Always pursuing new interests, she taught English as a second language, studied French, and practiced yoga. All of these activities brought new and interesting people into her life. She spent the last 8 years living at Juniper Village in Chatham, NJ where she became one of the residents at the heart of the community.  

Phyllis was known for her apt turns of phrase. Even those who were unfamiliar with her special sayings knew immediately what she meant to convey. Her quips, sharp wit, bright smile, and warmth will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to the visitation held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the funeral home followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Boulevard, Chatham.

Interment will be held at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 52 Tyler Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Phyllis’ memory to Summit Speech School, 705 Central Ave # 1, New Providence, NJ 07974