Phyllis TIERNEY

On May 15, 2019, Phyllis Salvin Tierney died at home, supported by her adoring husband, Jim Tierney, her beloved daughter-in-law, KK Meyer, and her appreciative and loving son, Steven Seligman. She died as she lived: with style, grace, wit, and no regrets. To her last day-charming as ever--she learned more about her health care providers than they ever learned about her. Thanks to them all; they are, indeed, angels. "Phyllis Gloria Salvin," Herman and Annette's daughter, was a proud child of Hartford's North End. With her parents, and her brother, Manny, she was the soul of Hartford's oldest, continuously operated store, Salvin's Shoes, an honest and decent source of high quality, low price, and integrity. "Miss Savin" or "Miss Phyllis" (as many customers addressed her) was proud to have been known by countless customers (many generations of many families) as a pillar of honesty and well-fitted shoes. The success of Salvin's was less the quality of the shoes than the love that the Salvins had for their clientele….and their clientele for the Salvins. The Weaver High School Class of 1945 yearbook dubbed Phyllis, "Dancer deluxe, pretty as a picture-nice frame, too." That description never grew old: Phyllis lit-up and "owned" every room she entered. Sly smile, earnest hugs to old friends and to soon-to-be new ones, Phyllis dazzled, shone, and got to know everyone and everything about them. If only the politicians she favored could work a room like Phyllis… the lasting impressions that she made. And-the day after-the "post-mortems," the "debriefing" of the "night-before's" activity was to be cherished: a cross between a CIA dossier ("to whom he is married, to whom he had been married…and who knows how many in-between") and a cultural tour of Hartford/West Hartford society and history. What fun! Phyllis loved to laugh, to have a good time and believed passionately that others had a right to similar happiness. Hence, her abiding commitment to Head Start during its inception in the 1960's and to Hadassah of which she was a reluctant-but high-achieving-President. In these apparently disparate groups-young American children from challenging backgrounds to Zionism and the furthering of Israel's survival, in part, by promoting harmony with its neighbors-Phyllis saw common ground: organizations that served humanity's neediest and most deserving. Hadassah and Head Start are the better for Phyllis's commitment to them. Phyllis was happiest when others were at their happiest. Phyllis leaves to mourn her extended Salvin family: sister-in-law, Iris, and her wonderful children and grandchildren who really "got" Phyllis and Jim's children and extended Tierney family who know what Jim and Phyllis meant to one another, which was-simply-the best that it gets. How fortunate were these two to have had one another. Phyllis's "family" was not limited to Jim, Steven, KK, the Salvins, and the Tierneys: she loved to talk to everyone, especially of different ages and backgrounds. Her ability to make you feel that you were the most interesting and important subject in the world was unique and left others feeling that Phyllis was the most interesting and important person in the world. She invited confidences and guarded them. She was as quick on the uptake as any courtroom lawyer or comedy club comedian-sharp as a tack to the end, her sense of humor sustained the morale of those who were charged to sustain hers. Phyllis appreciated all of the acts of kindness-blankets, calls, cards, cookies, photographs-that those who loved her bestowed upon her. She went knowing that she was loved, receiving from others all that she gave throughout her magnificent life. Thank you, all. There was only one Phyllis; we will miss her terribly. The funeral of Phyllis Tierney will be on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 10:00am at the Temple Beth Israel (main sanctuary); 701 Farmington Avenue; West Hartford, CT 06119. Burial will be private, immediately following the funeral service. After the funeral friends and family are invited to convene: 1) on Monday, May 20 at 1:00pm at 85 Whitehill Drive; West Hartford 06117; and 2) that afternoon at the same address, starting at 6:30pm for shiva. There will be only one night of shiva. Please, no flowers or anything for the family, but do make a donation to the organization of your choice in Phyllis's name. Remembrances may be sent to Jim at the above address or to Steven Seligman/KK Meyer at 381 Simsbury Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002.