Phyllis L. Naylor

Phyllis Ladd Naylor
8/28/1925 - 12/11/2024
"May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest" – Shakespeare
Phyllis Ladd Naylor lived a long and fascinating life which unfolded much like the interesting novels she was always reading. Phyl, as she was known to her friends, was born on August 28 in 1925 in Mount Holyoke, MA to Philip Ladd and Kathryn Lyons. As a young girl, she moved to North Philadelphia, graduated early from Franklin High School and received her bachelor's degree in English and Drama from West Chester University where she took double academic course loads in order to graduate early. By the time she was nineteen, Phyllis accepted her first high school teaching position at Upper Moreland High School, teaching English. Phyllis was a trailblazer, being such a young college educated career woman. During those years, she met and married Charles Naylor. Together they shared a long and exciting life in New York and later Bucks County, PA.
Phyllis and Charles, shared a vibrant life, first in Roslyn Heights, NY, and later in Pelham Manor NY, where they raised 6 daughters.There, Phyllis balanced motherhood and community involvement while instilling a love of music, art, and education in her family. Her creativity revealed itself in directing and performing in plays at the Pelham Manor Women's Club, authoring a series of children's stories, and nurturing a household filled with love, laughter, and pets.
On February 1, 1957 at age 32, Phyllis survived a devastating plane crash in NY that was documented in the book "Tiger on a Leash." While this tested Phyllis' resilience, she emerged stronger, focusing on healing and comforting her family. The couple later settled in Bucks County, PA, where Phyllis made her historic home a hub of family tradition. She returned to teaching in 1968, inspiring students at Bristol Borough High School with her theatrical flair and dedication, and became a beloved mentor, known for her kindness and passion for the arts. As the high school drama coach, she directed the annual plays and musicals and inspired her students to develop their creativity through writing and the arts. She retired from teaching in 1987. In her spare time, Phyllis acted in plays at the Bucks County Community Theater, bringing the house down with her Carol Burnett style portrayal in "You Can't Take It With You."
Phyllis was a lifelong advocate of women's rights and at age 91, walked in the 2017 Women's March in Philadelphia proudly carrying a sign that read "91 Strong - Women Must Be Seen and Heard." She will remain in the hearts of those who were blessed to have known her as a trailblazer, role model, motivator, supporter of women's rights, friend, teacher, and matriarch.
Phyllis Ladd Naylor passed over on December 11, 2024, joining her husband Charles, her daughter Sandy Elkin, grandson Patrick Naylor, son-in-law Marc Gruenenfelder, and her beloved terrier Emily. Phyllis will be honored in a celebration of life service in the summer of 2025. She is survived by five daughters: Susan "Sudi" DiCrescenzo, Pat Rigo, Robin Naylor, Nicole Naylor, and Alison DiFlorio (Marco). Her descendents include nine grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren; and lifelong friends Elaine Wiesenfeld and Trish O'Donnell.
Services for Phyllis have not been scheduled at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation www.crhcf.org.
Family services are entrusted to the Swartz-Givnish Life Celebration Home, 215-968-3891