Abigail Bridget Brett Phillips
Abigail Bridget “Gail” Brett Phillips died peacefully Tuesday, October 9, 2018, just shy of her 70th birthday, in Washington.
Born October 14, 1948, in Jersey City, N.J., to the late Michael and Marie Aumenta Brett, Gail lived in the Washington area for the past five years. Gail’s life journey was filled with many challenging twists and turns, which she navigated with steadfast good cheer and humor.
In Jersey City, Gail graduated from St. Aedan’s grammar school, St. Dominic’s Academy and Jersey City State College, now known as NJSC. She had a master’s degree in arts education from Glassboro, now known as Rowan University, in Glassboro, N.J.
While completing her education, Gail married John Phillips, and they remained so for 10 years, after which they maintained a lifelong friendship. Gail and John had two children, Linda Marie, who preceded her in death, and her loving and devoted daughter, Carol Ann Phillips, who survives.
Until her bipolar illness and other health challenges rendered her disabled, Gail had a successful teaching career and later worked in retail.
Gail was a woman of many talents and great faith. With her beautiful soprano voice, Gail sang in many a church choir, most recently at Trinity Anglican. She was indeed a joiner and active participant in many organizations, including Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City. She was a fine seamstress, a skill she learned from her mother, to whom she was devoted, and designed – she took many courses at Fashion Institute of Technology – and sewed many of her own clothes.
Gail was also a great appreciator of talented artists as well. While living in Jersey City, Gail visited many of the finest creative and performing arts institutions in New York City. More to the point, she enjoyed sharing these experiences with her loving and devoted family. She took particular joy in introducing Carol, her niece Maggie and nephews Steven and Danny to the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall – she loved the Rockettes – Broadway shows and art museums. With her sister Susan, Gail traveled to the lands of her ancestors, Italy and Ireland.
Most of all, Gail was devoted to and doted on family. She is survived by her beloved and caring son-in-law, Jason, with whom she shared a very special retail relationship; her granddaughters, Emma and Evelyn; stepgrandchildren Emily and Cason; and many Brett and Aumenta cousins and relations.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Friday, October 12, in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. Karen Stevenson officiating. All other services will be private.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org.
Arrangements are by Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, supervisor, Lawrence K. Donovan, funeral director.