Phyllis M. Meola

Phyllis M. Meola, age 82 years, of Readington Township, NJ, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at her home.

Phyllis was born on January 5, 1941, in Newark, NJ. She was the second daughter to Philip Meola and Florence Rosania who were married in the USA in September 1936. On her father’s side, her grandparents Salvatore Meola and Concetta del Guercio married in April 1904; her great-grandparents Felice Meola and Maria Forcella were married in 1868; her great-great-grandparents Nicole Meola and Teresa Anna Renna were married 1846; and her great-great-great-grandparents Felice Meola and Maria Restaino were married in 1819. All of them were married in Teora, Avellino, Italy.

Phyllis grew up in Belleville, NJ attending No.8 grammar school and graduated from a girl’s vocational high school in Newark, NJ. Phyllis was a cosmetology major and earned her beautician license upon graduation. During high school and while vacationing in Long Branch, NJ, Phyllis’ soon to be brother-in-law introduced her to her future husband Joseph Meola. Joe not only had the same last name, but also had the same great-great-great -grandparents, Felice Meola & Maria Restaino. Phyllis and Joe married in 1962. Soon after, Joe, an Army Finance Officer, returned from France and was stationed at Fort Hood, TX. In early 1963, they returned home to NJ, bought a house in Metuchen, NJ, and started their family.

Phyllis and Joe have three daughters: Lisa Ann of Marco Island, FL (husband Joe Takach), Dana Ann of Hellertown, PA (ex-husband Tom Link), and Jodi Ann of Stockton, NJ (husband Scott Little). They also have four grandchildren: the oldest, Amanda graduated from Temple University, Melissa a fourth-year chemistry major at Chestnut Hill College, Tanner a third year Criminal Justice major at Saint Thomas Aquinas College where he also has a golf scholarship, and Maci an eighth grader at Kingwood Township School.

Phyllis was devoted sincerely to her family, including deceased parents Philp and Florence Meola and deceased sister and brother-in-law Etta and Anthony Chiafullo. She is survived by two loving sisters Eileen Rolleri (deceased husband Paul Rolleri) and Deborah Perri and her husband John Perri. Phyllis is also survived by sister-in-law Joan Weidman (deceased husband Patsy Riccio) and husband Doug Weidman and sister-in-law Sharon Meola and (deceased husband Gerald Meola). She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews. Her many friends were also an integral part of her enriched life.

Phyllis was always an active bowler. After moving to Flemington, NJ in 1974 and joining Copper Hill Country Club in 1979, she also became an active tennis player and part-time golfer. However, as her children and grandchildren became active in sports of their own, her focus shifted to attending and supporting their participation in tennis, cheerleading, golf, and recently softball and volleyball which are Maci’s sports.

Some fifteen years ago, as Phyllis joined the Italian American Heritage Club, she was introduced to a sport in which she loved and was still active.... Bocce. Phyllis also loved to travel with her family, Bermuda being among the most popular destinations. However, in 1985 along with Joe’s business partner’s wife, the two of them left from Kennedy airport in New York and headed west. Two months later, after a trip around the world, stopping at numerous countries along the way, they returned home to Kennedy airport from the east.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes, 390 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ. Entombment will follow in Glendale Cemetery & Mausoleum, Bloomfield, NJ. Calling hours will be on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Memorial contributions in Phyllis’ name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.