Obituary of Phyllis Winstead

Phyllis Winstead, Loving Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma “ You make me happy when skies are gray..” Phyllis Winstead (nee Heckmann), passed away on Saturday, January 21st, four months after her husband Henry. She shared 80 years of love and laughter with her family and friends. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 11 am at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave, Denville. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 27th from 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org may be made to the good work of The Friendship House. Phyllis was born in Scotch Plains, NJ to the late Walter and Marguerite Heckmann. After her schooling she met a young Naval officer from Tennessee, Henry Winstead. Soon after, the Yankee married the Rebel and they settled in Denville. Phyllis was a wonderful homemaker, instilling the values of family and tradition. She enjoyed crafts, ceramics and gardening. She was excellent at sewing and knitting and every year on Christmas morning, her children woke to handmade pajamas. She would make her homemade fudge, the kids taking turns stirring, guaranteeing it would come out just perfect. Phyllis was a fantastic baker, famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She knitted baby bonnets for so many little ones and donated her talents and time to children with special needs, our community and families she knew or didn’t. She was a longtime and active member of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Rockaway. This matriarch was loved dearly and be missed tremendously. Predeceased by her adored husband Henry of 60 years; she leaves happy memories and cherished traditions to her children Kim Palmer (Tom), Mary Beth Patterson (Steve), Rick Winstead (Robin) and Tricia Winstead; grandchildren Dana Lyden (Peter), Jacob Patterson (Y’vonne), Daniel and Kelly Patterson, Sarah Brzezinski (Tom), Stephanie Stone (Hugo), Amie Ferreira (Dan) and Ben Winstead; greats Max, Mason, Samantha, Luke, Eva and Reese. She is also survived by Mildred, Ann Marie and Amanda Heckmann and many more loving relatives and dear friends.