Philomena "Phyllis" L. Ponzoni

Phyllis L. Ponzoni, a 60-year resident of Spring Valley, N.Y., passed away at her home in Spring Valley, NY on February 2nd 2026, at the age of 94. Born Philomena Lucille Valentino, on March 15th, 1931, in Newark N.J., to parents Frank and Dorothy Valentino.

Phyllis grew up in Nutley N.J., and graduated from Nutley H.S. in 1949. She worked at Bell Telephone / AT&T for several years. Married to George B. Ponzoni in Sept 1955, they were together over 67 years until his passing in November 2022. They lived in Nutley, then Roselle Park N.J., before moving to Rockland County, Spring Valley, N.Y. in 1965.

With her creative and artistic mind, Phyllis attended SUNY Rockland (RCC) receiving her Art degree in the early '70's. She taught at RCC's Young Saturdays program and gave children art lessons in her home, and created works of her own in the early to mid '70's. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and raising three children as a stay-at-home mom during these years.

She then returned to AT&T, now in Suffern N.Y., as an Administrative Assistant from '74 until her retirement in 1991. While working full time, Phyllis returned to school and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College in May 1982, with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the age of 51. Over the decades, Phyllis was active in the community, with a Gardening club, Bowling team, local art projects, Church groups, and more.

Phyllis always enjoyed traveling with her husband George. They became even bigger fans of globetrotting in their retirement; with trips to Europe, South America, Canada, Hawaii, many states, and many trips to Florida. They became "Snow Birds", wintering in Davenport, Florida for almost 15 years, until 2005.

Phyllis is survived by her children: George R. Ponzoni of Middletown, NY; Carol Ponzoni-Wakeman and her husband Scott of Newtown, CT; and Joseph Ponzoni and his wife Patricia of Washingtonville, NY. She was a cherished grandmother to Lauren, George W., Alex, Miranda, Isabella, Clarissa, and Joey, and a great-grandmother to Naomi and Calvin. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Buchanan, her sister-in-law Diane Lavelle, along with several nieces and nephews and their families (including Great-Great nieces and nephews!). She is pre-deceased by her husband George B. Ponzoni, her brother Michael Valentino, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Ponzoni.

The family would like to thank the many home health aides that provided good care to our mother Phyllis in recent years.

Family and friends may pay their respects during visitation on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Wannamaker & Carlough Funeral Home in Suffern N.Y., A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated within a month’s time, at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, NY. Burial will follow at Frederick W. Loescher Veterans Cemetery, where Phyllis will be laid to rest beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - www.alz.org.