Obituary of Phyllis E. Poemer

Phyllis Edwards Poemer, 88, of West Milford, NJ died suddenly on Sunday, December 6, 2020. Phyllis was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, the beloved daughter of the late Rose Edwards and Lyle Weston Torrey. Phyllis moved to New Jersey as a child and lived for many years in Wayne, NJ where she raised three children. Afterwards, she worked as a waitress at Scordato’s Restaurant in Hawthorne, NJ. Phyllis was an avid landscape artist and incredibly talented with crocheting and knitting as well. She made many beautiful items for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as for friends. Phyllis was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne where she volunteered as Hospital Chair. In 2014 Phyllis moved to Bald Eagle Commons in West Milford, NJ where she made many friends and enjoyed her garden and painting classes. She especially loved her summer vacations in the Clark Island, Maine home her grandparents owned. She spent many happy childhood summers there, and the tradition has been carried down to her children and their families. Phyllis was quick to laugh, to tell a good story and enjoyed being around people. She loved her family fiercely and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known her. Phyllis is survived by her son Robert John, daughter-in-law Annemarie of Monroe Township, NJ; daughter Joyce Koeller, son-in-law Kerry of Hawley, PA; son Kenneth Lyle, daughter-in-law Margaret of Spruce Head, ME; as well as grandchildren Jennifer Poemer of Monroe Township, NJ; Thomas Kiritsis (wife Katie) of Media, PA; Lauren Eisinger (husband Louis) of Wayne, NJ; Debra Kolk (husband Eric) of Havelock, NC; Bobby Poemer (wife Becky) of Newtown, PA; Kristen Poemer of Hoboken, NJ; Noah Koeller of Rochester, PA; and Senior Airman Wyatt Koeller of McGuire Air Force Base, NJ; as well as great-grandchildren Matthew, Madelyn, Alexander, Lydia, Jack, Owen, Aiden and Naomi. She is also survived by sister-in-law Elizabeth Carter Torrey of Hingham, MA; niece Laureen Aiello (husband John) of New City, NY; nephews Matthew (wife Amy) of Hingham, MA; Ethan Torrey (wife Sarah) of Chevy Chase, MD; and Benjamin Torrey (wife San San) of Malden, MA; as well as several great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Carol Smith of Suffern, NY; her brother, Lyle Weston Torrey, Jr. of Hingham, MA; and beloved companion J. Raymond Carr of Wayne, NJ. Due to the current COVID pandemic, funeral services at Moore's Home For Funerals, Wayne, NJ will be private with a memorial service to be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Phyllis’s name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. www.diabetes.org