Phyllis M. Gentile

It is with heavy hearts that we announce our beloved mother and nanny, Phyllis Gentile, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Giacomo and Anna (Serpente) DiMarco.

Phyllis was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. With her dry sense of humor, she won over many of her relatives and friends. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. She choose to live her life carrying on meaningful acts of love and service like Christ modeled for us. Blue Nan as she was also called, was a superb cook and baker who often made entrees and sweets for her sons’ business and surprising friends and relatives on birthdays. She kept a journal with dates of everyone’s birthdays she came in contact with, and would mail card or send a treat on their special day.

Phyllis loved her Jersey shore getaways with her freewheeling sister Bette, where she hung out with her cousins and nieces and nephews. She developed special bonds with her cousins, Rosalie, Mary (Chi-Chi) and her cousin’s wife Nora, and countless nieces and nephews. FiFi had a couple of vices, she couldn’t resist chocolate, ice cream and couldn’t start her day without strong coffee with flavored creamer. Though our hearts are heavy we find comfort in knowing she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.

Phyllis was the beloved wife of the late John J. Gentile, Sr.; the loving mother of James Gentile (Tina), Anne Pinto, and the late John J. Gentile, Jr. (the late Sally). She was the proud grandmother/great grandmother of Cheryl Gentile, Melissa Ashford, Jessica McCracken, Jeanne Vollrath, Jamie Gentile, Emily Barbuto, Louie Gentile, Leah Ashford, Lucas Ashford, Heather Hutto Ashford, Aiden Dinges, Brooke McCracken, Cali McCracken, Charlotte McCracken, and Eden Vollrath. She is also survived by her siblings, Theresa Hurst (the late Paul), John DiMarco (Fran), and Jane Giove (the late Nicholas). Phyllis is predeceased by her sisters, Gloria Santine-Wasmund (the late Dominic Santine and the late Harry Wasmund), and Bette Visco (the late Angelo).

Relatives and friends are invited to honor Phyllis’ life at her Visitation, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment thereafter at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis’ memory would be appreciated to St. Anastasia Church, https://saintanastasia.net/.