Yardley formerly of Wampsville, Hamilton NY and Melbourne, FL, has left for her last RV Rally on May 2, 2022.
Born in 1932 to Emmett and Rita Griswold, she grew up in Lake Luzerne and Ilion, NY, where she graduated from Ilion High School and attended Mohawk Valley Community College. Phyllis married Milford L. Yardley from Ilion, NY in May of 1950. They raised their three children in a close and loving neighborhood in Wampsville.
She came from a long line of strong, independent women. As an only child and a solo grandchild, she absorbed their skills and determination. Always working outside of the home, she held together her active family’s school, sports, scouts, 4H camping in addition to managing the Madison County Highway office. Milford passed away in 1988 at the young age of 60. Phyllis went on to build a second act buying herself many RV’s, becoming a member of LOW’s (Loners on Wheels) – we called that group, “recycled teenagers”. She took up square dancing and playing a gutbucket bass; met a whole new community traveling across country by RV, towing her car. During Phyllis’s full life she was a committed volunteer to any community she lived in and was a life-long member of the Shenandoah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Village of Wampsville Board, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Chenango Canal Committee.
She will be remembered always by her son, Terry Yardley and wife Carolyn of Sherrill, NY; daughters, Leigh Yardley and husband Bruce Moseley of Hubbardsville, NY, Christine Littebrant and husband Carl of Zebulon, NC; grandchildren, Kristi Miceli, Heather Littebrant, Lindsey Behan MD and John Bohrer-Yardley J.D.; great grandchildren Corey, Kelsey, Devin, Robert and Carter; great-great granddaughter Kalayah; great-great grandson, Isaac, and beloved pup Max who she said she rescued him and he rescued her.
We want to thank the staff of Waterville Residential Care Center for their loving care over the last year. Caring for our most vulnerable family members during a pandemic is truly a selfless act.