Phyllis Rose Pavone passed away peacefully on the morning of September 7, 2026, at 101 years of age.

Born November 21, 1924, to parents Henry and Pauline Boehm, she spent her happy childhood years on her grandparents' (Gottlieb and Rosa Wennagel) farm in Frenchtown, NJ. Throughout her life she would recall living an idyllic childhood in the countryside-growing vegetables, doing farm chores, and taking care of the chickens and farm animals.

After graduating high school at age 18, Phyllis attended The School of Industrial Arts in Trenton, NJ. There, she applied her creativity and sense of style to fashion design, and demonstrated artistic skill at drawing, design and sculpture.

During the 1940s, this skillset brought her to work as a china painter at Lenox, and Stangl potteries in Trenton. While plying her craft, she met her future husband, Joseph E. Pavone, who also worked in the booming Trenton pottery industry before enlisting in the Korean War.

Phyllis' career blossomed as she was made head painter at the world-renowned Edward Marshall Boehm Studios, whose porcelain lifelike birds, flowers and animals were often given as official gifts to US Presidents, Popes, and royalty. While Joe was stationed in Germany as an army photographer, Phyllis sailed to Europe to meet him. Together, they toured Switzerland, Germany and France. Phyllis continued to England and Italy for a two-month Grand Tour.

Phyllis married Joseph on September 18, 1954. Together, they fostered the arts and culture in Bristol, PA throughout their lives, and were founders of the Radcliffe Cultural and Historical Foundation. Phyllis' creativity and efforts enabled Joseph's Radcliffe Art Gallery on Franklin Street to flourish for more than 30 years, as she hung exhibits, catered to guests, planned opening receptions, and helped manage Joe's endless artistic pursuits. All while rearing their two children.

Phyllis is remembered for her classic sense of style and elegance, and her decorating skills brought her renown. She was an artist in her own right. She sewed and designed beautiful clothes and costumes. Her culinary skills made every family get together a beautiful feast. Living her final decade independently at Chandler Hall, in Newtown PA, Phyllis lavished her community with festive seasonal decorations throughout the building and dining hall, arranged art shows, and planted and tended the beautiful flowers she loved so much.

Phyllis survived by her son Marc Pavone and daughter-in-law Colleen, and daughter Michele Pavone Stricker and son-in-law Michael. Phyllis was a fun and creative grandmother to Stacy Thompson (nèe Pavone), Nicholas Pavone, Sara Stricker and Katherine Camille Black (née Stricker). Phyllis treasured her three great-grandchildren: Elle, Mia, and Wells. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph E. Pavone.

Relatives and Friends are invited to her Funeral Service at 8pm on Tuesday September 15, 2026, at Galzerano Funeral Home 3500 Bristol-Oxford Valley Rd Levittown Pa 19057. Friends may call from 6-8pm at the funeral home. Interment will be held at St Mark Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Columbus 500 Foundation. Mail check donations intended for the ongoing preservation of the monument and local Italian American heritage programs to Columbus 500 Foundation, P.O. Box 533, Bristol, PA 19007

Columbus 500 Foundation commissioned and erected the prominent Christopher Columbus monument on Bristol Borough's waterfront park. It features the bronze bust sculpted by Joseph Pavone. The group has continued to care for the monument, organizing annual wreath-laying and historical recognitions around Columbus Day. In this way, we may honor Phyllis' lifelong commitment to art, and cherish her love and support of her husband, Joseph Pavone.