Phyllis Elizabeth Sedgley

Born on August 4, 1926 in Highland Park, Los Angeles, Phyllis captivated from the start, winning a “Beautiful Baby” contest at the age of six months. She acted as an extra in Shirley Temple films, working to support her family throughout her childhood. After graduating as her high school’s valedictorian, she attended LA City College and then matriculated at the University of California, Berkley, earning her degree in Journalism. Working at the LA City Paper, she was approached by film-industry talent scouts for her statuesque beauty, but she dreamt of becoming a roving reporter and traveling the world.

She applied to the State Department, was accepted, took the train to DC, and traveled to Israel a month later to work as a secretary for the embassy. There she met Harry E. Sedgley, who pursued her and became the great love of her life. They married in California and moved to Bombay, India, where their first child, Maureen, was born. Three years later they returned to Arlington, Virginia, where they welcomed Michael and Melinda.

In 1959, they were sent to Tokyo. Phyllis embraced Japanese culture by teaching English and learning flower arranging while making many Japanese friends. Little did she know that her daughter Maureen would one day have a Japanese mother-in-law. In 1962, the family moved to Seoul, Korea, where Phyllis’s youngest son Matthew was born. Two years later, they moved to Darmstadt, Germany, where Harry worked as the director of the Kennedy House. From 1965 to 1968, the family lived in an apartment in Rome, Italy, in the days of la dolce vita. Phyllis enjoyed Campari by the pool visiting the beautiful Roman sites and continued to enjoy meeting and making friends who became lifelong correspondents and visitors.

In 1969, the family bought the house on Cornith Drive in Alexandria, Virginia, where Phyllis would live for the rest of her life. In 1970, Harry died from a heart attack while shoveling snow and Phyllis became a single mother of four. She returned to school, earned her master’s degree in teaching and worked for Fairfax County Public Schools at Groveton HS, Quander Road Center, and Mount Vernon High School. Her first assignment was as a teaching assistant for teen moms. She finished her career as a special education Social Studies teacher. In 1986 she and a few friends started the WOW Book Club which thrives to this day! Phyllis retired in 1992.

After her husband’s death, Phyllis joined the Catholic institution, Opus Dei, attended ongoing formational classes and engaged in countless apostolic activities, all while finding the consolation in her faith community. She taught Catholic doctrine classes and volunteered at the Catholic Information Center in Washington, DC. The relationships she built during that time were a treasure to her. A brilliant and uninhibited, conversationalist, Phyllis won friends from all walks of life. She was an avid reader and instilled her love of literature in her children and grandchildren. Her love of language translated easily to the page, and she kept up correspondence with many friends and relatives. She rarely missed an opportunity to connect with another human, and had many devoted friends.

Above all, Phyllis relished life. When she asked you how you were, the follow-up question often was, “Yes, but are you having fun?” Though generous and kind, Phyllis had no patience for fear. These were the lessons she was always trying to teach: Do not be afraid. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. Listen to music. Tap dance in the kitchen. Eat dessert slowly. Smell the magnolia blooms. Breathe in the ocean air. Do not waste time. Enjoy your life and “keep your eye on the ball;” make getting to Heaven your goal.

Phyllis is mourned by her children Maureen, Michael, Melinda, and Matthew; grandchildren James, Elizabeth, Katherine, Harry, Andre, and Lilah; great-grandchildren James, Ruby, Lillian, and Daniel; sons-in-law Jim Mayer and Roger Bedell; and countless friends. She is preceded by her husband Harry and brother, Fred Barry. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church on Thursday, August 17th at 11AM. Burial will follow at Mount Comfort Cemetery followed by a reception at St. Louis’ Little Way Café. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Contingo Youth Club at contigoyouth.org.

To watch the livestream of the Funeral Mass, please click the link :

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-phyllis-e-sedgley-prcyqzljudiqrn2bshnz