Phyllis L. Leddy

Phyllis Merletto Leddy of Palm Beach Gardens, FL passed away on July 15, 2010 at the age of 85. Born in Cliffside Park, NJ on November 24, 1924 to Filomena and Louis Merletto, she graduated from Cliffside Park High School in 1942, attended secretarial school, and worked in New York City for 8 years. She married Gerard Leddy in 1951 and spent many years in Palm Beach County, She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who brought joy to so many people through her volunteer work. She was a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Salvation Army in West Palm Beach, where she spent 25 years as an active member and volunteer. Her pet projects were the Angel Tree and the “treasure table”, which raised money for the Salvation Army. She also volunteered at the V.A. Hospital, the Kravis Center, and St. Ignatius Cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens, where she was a member of the Ladies’ Guild.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Gerard J. Leddy, who passed away in 2005. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Barbara Healy and son-in-law Daniel of Wellington, her daughter Jane Soluri and son-in-law Richard of Wellington, and her 5 grandchildren: Kimberly, Paul and Stephen Healy, and Julianne and Ryan Soluri. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by a multitude of family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Monday, July 19, 2010 with a prayer service at 7pm at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Entombment will be held at Riverside Memorial Park, Tequesta, FL

Arrangements under the direction of Aycock Funeral Homes, Jupiter, FL.

Phyllis was born in Cliffside Park, N.J. on Nov. 24, 1924 to Filomena and Louis Merletto. She grew up in the same town, attending Cliffside Park Junior High School and Cliffside Park High School. After graduating from high school in 1942, Phyllis attended secretarial school. She worked in New York City for 8 years, at Railway Express Agency, City Bank of New York, and Bigelow Rug Company.

Phyllis met Gerard Leddy in 1950, and they got married one year later on Sept. 23, 1951. Their first daughter, Barbara Jean, was born on Aug. 24, 1952, followed by Jane Elizabeth on June 27, 1956. Phyllis and Gerry lived in N.J. until 1958, when Gerry accepted a job as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach. He felt the move would be beneficial for health reasons - Barbara had frequent ear infections, and Phyllis had recovered from a serious bout of pneumonia. They built a home in North Palm Beach, where the family lived until June 1967. At that time, Gerry was transferred to Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT. Phyllis and Gerry bought a house in East Hartford and remained there until 1979. While her children were growing up, Phyllis volunteered at their schools and at church. She also worked part-time for several years in the public relations department at G. Fox & Co. in Hartford. It was a huge department store, so she came in contact with many interesting people. She joked that she spent more money there than she earned! Phyllis and Gerry moved back to Florida in 1979, where Gerry worked until his retirement from Pratt & Whitney in 1986.

Phyllis and Gerry built their dream house in Palm Beach Gardens when they made their second move to Florida. They lived there for 25 years until Gerry’s death in 2005. Phyllis later called it the “Happy House” because it was the scene of family gatherings, holidays and parties, and they spent many happy years there. Phyllis volunteered at the Salvation Army, the Kravis Center, and the V.A. Hospital. She also served on the Women’s Guild at St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens. At their annual Hearts of Gold Luncheon in March 2010, the Salvation Army gave Phyllis the Heart of Gold Award for her 25 years of volunteer work. Her pet projects were the Angel Tree and the “treasure table”, which raised money for the Salvation Army.

After Gerry passed away, Phyllis moved to Wellington to be close to her daughters, but her heart remained in Palm Beach Gardens. She died on July 15, 2010 after several months of declining health.

Phyllis was a “people person” whose greatest joy was in giving to others. She was active in her community, loved to entertain, had a multitude of friends, and showered her family with generosity. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching movies and reading books and magazines. She challenged her mind by solving the daily N.Y. Times crossword puzzles, which she did with expertise. Phyllis will always be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.