Phyllis F. Sansone

Phyllis F. Sansone, Wife and Mother who raised four sons with a sense of togetherness and strong family ties, passed away on Thursday September 25, 2025, at St. Clair's Hospital in Denville, NJ. She was 94, less than 3 months shy of another milestone birthday.

Phyllis was the daughter of John and Theresa (Dembowski) Riskowski in Loup City, Nebraska, a small town in the rural Midwest, where she grew up working alongside 7 brothers and sisters, including her twin brother Philip. In the early 1950's, she travelled to Omaha, Nebraska, to find work, when she met her one and only love, Anthony (Tony), who was in the US Air Force and was stationed in Omaha during the Korean War. They were soon married and began to raise a family, moving to New Jersey in 1955. Phyllis, alongside being the mother of 4 boys and countless neighborhood kids, took work at Bell Labs in Whippany, where she held a variety of jobs until she retired.

Once her kids were out of the house, Phyllis and Tony spent many years traveling the world and enjoying finding new places and making new friends everywhere. They always stayed close to family, which they treasured above everything else, and frequently travelled back to Nebraska to stay connected with family there. Phyllis was an enthusiastic member of the Columbiettes, the women's auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Chapter 359, Paterson Diocese. Tony passed away on December 23, 2014, and after a period of grief and adjustments, Phyllis emerged as a new and vibrant person, continuing her existing friendships, and developing new friends and hobbies. It wasn't rare that it could take days to reach her by phone at home, as she was always busy with something.

Phyllis has now joined her parents, her siblings, and most importantly her beloved Tony, in peaceful rest. Phyllis' sense of humor, fairness, and fun helped her and Tony raise four sons: David; Kenneth (Dave Davis); Anthony, Jr. (Debbie); and Robert (Debby), to respect each other and family. In addition to her sons and their spouses, Phyllis leaves behind 10 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews in Nebraska, in New Jersey and elsewhere across the US. Phyllis also leaves behind so many treasured friends, both new and old.

The family is especially thankful to the staff, as well as all of her friends at The Oaks in Denville. Their kindness, care and commitment helped make Phyllis' last years bright and full of life.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family in remembering Phyllis. Visitation will be Monday September 29, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Par-Troy Funeral Home (95 Parsippany Road, Parsippany; 973-887-3235). The funeral service will be held Tuesday September 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the same location, followed by burial at Holy Rood Cemetery in Morristown.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Phyllis' memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, (Dept. 300), Memphis, TN 38148.