Phyllis M. Dupont

VERNON - Phyllis Mae Dupont, 80, of Highland Lakes, died Friday, April 27, 2012, at St. Maarten Medical Center, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, in the Netherlands Antilles, after a brief illness while on vacation.

She was born Aug. 18, 1931, on City Island, Bronx, N.Y., the only child of Sea Capt. Lawrence B. Gamage and Sarah Ellman Gamage. She attended public school on City Island, and was a 1949 graduate of Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, and a 1950 graduate of the Washington School of Secretaries in Manhattan. She worked as a private secretary in Manhattan until her marriage.

On Sept. 14, 1952, she married Ronald J. Dupont, also of City Island, at Trinity Methodist Church on City Island. They spent the first year of their married life in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where her husband was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station.

In 1953, she moved with her husband to Highland Lakes, where her in-laws had acquired a new business, Highland General Store, of which she was an owner, employee and officer until her death. She was a resident of Highland Lakes for 59 years, and also maintained a vacation home on Singer Island, Fla., from 1977 until 2003.

She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her much-loved family, children and grandchildren, the folk music of maritime New England, and visiting historic sites and gardens. She was an avid card player. She had been a member of the Vernon United Methodist Church, and was later a member St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald J. Dupont, of Highland Lakes; children, Shirley L., wife of Glenn M. Dean, of Vernon; Wendy L., wife of Robert Benkendorf, and Ronald J. Jr., husband of Emilie J. Dupont, both of Highland Lakes; and grandchildren, Erin M., Brian G. and Kevin M. Dean, Samuel J. and Benjamin J. Dupont, and Cole T. Benkendorf; and many cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. All are welcome to attend. Interment at Glenwood Cemetery will be privately held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 307 Route 94, Vernon, NJ, 07462.