PHYLLIS ELAINE CLARK

Phyllis Elaine Gahagan Clark was born on the 4th of July 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the only child born to Harry W. Gahagan and Sophie R. Harmeling Gahagan and was raised by her parents at the famed Edgewater Beach Apartments on the north shore of Lake Michigan.

After graduating from high school, Phyllis attended the University of Chicago and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, the largest fraternal organization in the world. The Chi Omega ladies continued to communicate with Phyllis up to the present day.

On November 14, 1942, Phyllis Gahagan married John D. Clark Jr. who was in the U.S. Air Force at the time. As many other enlisted men and women did during WWII, they traveled and lived in several places before settling on Long Island, New York for the first few years as a young family.

In September 1951, Phyllis and John moved into their newly built home in Hillsdale, New Jersey where Phyllis continued to reside for the next seventy years. Their marriage produced three children ~ Judith Diane, Kathryn Ann and John D. Clark III who were all raised in that home until each of them married and moved on to begin their own lives.

Phyllis was an active member of the United Methodist Women in the Hillsdale Methodist Church where she and her family attended since 1951. She also volunteered her time by working at The Depot Gift Shop in Midland Park, NJ which supports the Children's Aid and Family Services Organization. She loved and continued to play tennis well into her seventies and was doing her famous racing dive at every pool party !

Affectionally known as "Nana" to her family and younger friends, Phyllis loved her three children, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and we were all so blessed to have her in our lives for so long. Nana was always there to share in all the family events and special occasions. There will never be another 4th of July celebration where Nana is not thought of and remembered by her family and dear friends. During her long life, she taught us all the values that mean the most . . faith, love and family. She was admired by all and always conducted herself as the proper, classy lady she was . . and, she will be dearly missed.

Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Judith D. Gaess, Kathryn A. Galda and her son, John D. Clark III as well as her six living grandchildren: Jordan A. Gaess, Kamryn A Gerrior, Jaclyn A. McCausland, Lauryn E. Ryan, Justin D. Clark and Jaime N. Clark. Kimberly R. Gaess, her first born granddaughter predeceased her in 1998.

Nana was thrilled to welcome each of her eleven great-grandchildren to her family. Indica Rose and Judah Anthony Gaess, Tyler, Kelsey and Carson Gerrior, Madison, Marley and Summer McCausland and the newest babies, Clark, Annie Rose and Brady Ryan. Her legacy will be carried on by each of her descendants as well as those born in the future. Nana loved children, especially babies !

Should anyone want to honor Phyllis with a memorial gift, a donation to one of the following organizations would be most appreciated:

Operation Smile

Save the Children

World Central Kitchen

The family will be honoring their dear Mother and "Nana" privately at her final resting place in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, New Jersey.