Phyllis Sexton

Phyllis Sexton

Phyllis Marie Seelbach Sexton, 84, of Shallotte, formerly of Kiawah Island, SC and Watchung, NJ passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2019, in Hospice at Autumn Care of Waynesville, NC.

Phyllis was born on January 14, 1935, in Yonkers, NY the daughter of the late Christian Seelbach, Jr. and Marie Laubscher Seelbach.  She was the wife of the late John Joseph “Jack” Sexton.

After graduating from Cranford High School in New Jersey in 1952, Phyllis attended Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing where she obtained a Nursing Diploma and her Registered Nurse qualification circa 1955.  Phyllis and Jack met on St. Patrick’s Day 1958 at a mutual friend’s party and wed the following September.

In addition to raising her family in the Watchung Mountains, Phyllis was a staff nurse on 4AB at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, where she enjoyed a long and accomplished career as an Orthopedic Nurse.  Phyllis possessed all the qualities of an exceptional staff nurse. Her expertise in Orthopedic Nursing was evident to each new nurse who arrived on the unit! Many would call her their mentor.  Phyllis was also greatly respected by the physicians who listened and trusted her patient assessments.  Her kind and caring attitude and sense of humor made each work day so enjoyable. She would be remembered as a team leader/charge nurse in those days, but her real joy was at the bedside. She will be missed by all who knew her.  Phyllis retired in 1989 after 25 years as a Registered Nurse at Overlook Hospital.

Phyllis sang in the church choir at Wilson Memorial Union Church in Watchung, NJ and was a lifelong Christian.  She was a skilled pianist and played in churches in her younger days. Upon retirement in 1989, Phyllis and Jack moved to Kiawah Island, SC and relocated to River’s Edge in Shallotte, NC in 2003.  During retirement Phyllis excelled in golf and enjoyed spending time with her family on the Carolina beaches, traveling, and cruising the world.  Phyllis and Jack set up bluebird trails and homes for purple martins.

Surviving are her son, Alan T. Sexton of Reisterstown, MD; daughter Linda M. Sexton of Waynesville, NC; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Mrs. Sexton was preceded in death by her husband John J. “Jack” Sexton; her son John T. Sexton; and a brother Walter C. Seelbach of Scottsdale, AZ.

The remains of Phyllis and Jack will be placed with family at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ on a later date.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to The Shriners Hospital for Children lovetotherescue@shrinenet.org .

The care of Mrs. Sexton has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes