Phyllis D. Smolley

Phyllis Smolley, 82, life long resident of Garwood, went home to be with the Lord on August 1st. Phyllis graduated with a degree in Art and Fashion design and worked with her sister Janice in their custom dressmaking business. Phyllis was a substitute teacher in the Garwood schools and a member of the Garwood Board of Education for many years. She also taught art at Calvary Christian School in Newark for 12 years. Phyllis was a wonderful Christian woman who dedicated most of her life to the church and especially the youth of the community. She attended St. Paul's church in Garwood before joining the Garwood Presbyterian Church where she was a member for 55 years. There, she served the church as an elder, Sunday School teacher, Youth Group leader, Youth Chorus leader, Adult Choir member, Mission Committee member and taught in their VBS program for many years. Phyllis was also active in the Plainfield Area Children's Choir Festival, the Bowery Mission in N.Y. and the Community Network Prison Ministry. She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Eva; two brothers, Walter and Robert Smolley; and two sisters Florance Saland and Janice Smolley. She is survived by cousins in Canada, her family at Garwood Presbyterian Church, and countless dear friends and children throughout the world whose lives she impacted for the Kingdom of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.