Phyllis Mae Feiring née Green passed away peacefully at home Nov. 12, 2022, at the age of 94. Born Feb. 5, 1928, in Point Pleasant, she was the only child of parents Jane and Leighton Green.
Thanks to encouragement from her father – who wanted her to live life passionately and thoroughly – Phyllis married the love of her life, Bruce Clifford Feiring, Jan. 31, 1948. Having reined in her husband, a Naval Air Corps veteran of World War II, she was thereby affectionately known as “The Lion Tamer.” At only 19 years of age, her strength and wisdom were well beyond her years.
Together, Phyllis and Bruce lived in Plainfield, summered in Bay Head, and raised their children in Fair Haven. She was one of the last surviving “River Oaks Moms.” Following their time in Fair Haven, Phyllis and Bruce lived in Monmouth Beach, Long Branch and, most recently, Phyllis lived in Middletown.
Fiercely loyal, inspiring and loving, her life was full of enthusiastic chapters: a young waitress at her father’s diner; a confident X-ray technician; a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, Granny, and G.G. (great-grandmother). Throughout all chapters, however, was her unwavering affection for her Boxer dogs – her family’s protectors. Phyllis’ fondness for the breed, and dogs in general, has been inherited by all her surviving family members.
Phyllis’ stories of her life’s adventures and lessons will continue to be told by her beloved children, Lezlie Clark and husband Brian of Cape Coral, Florida, and Bruce Clifford Feiring II and wife Susan of Rumson.
Her devotion and boldness will continue to be felt by her grandchildren, Paul and Stefanie Smith of Cape Coral, Florida; Clifford and Lisa Feiring of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania; Sean and Ashley Feiring of Little Silver; Matthew and Margaret Feiring of Dallas, Texas; and Marjorie Feiring and Peter Weil of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Finally, her love and happiness will continue to live through her great-grandchildren, Vera, Katharine, Jackson, Henry and Olivia.
Celebrating and remembering Phyllis’ extraordinary life and a service took place Nov. 19 at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the November 24 – 30, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
