Phyllis J. Tettelbach

Phyllis Jean (Morway) Tettelbach, (90), passed away peacefully on September 29, 2019, in the presence of her loving family, in Southington, Connecticut.

Phyllis was born in Bristol, Connecticut on June 19, 1929.  A graduate of Oak Grove School in Vassalboro, Maine, she earned a bachelor's degree from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and studied at the University of Oslo (Norway) and the American University Graduate School, where she was a member of Phi Delta Gamma sorority.  In 1953, after a month in England and Scotland, and from her vantage point at Marble Arch, she was the “Southington girl” who witnessed the Coronation procession of Queen Elizabeth II.  Subsequently, she returned to Washington, DC and worked as a buyer for Woodward and Lothrop.  After meeting the love of her life at a ladies dance, she embarked on the next chapter of her life.  In early 1958, facing precarious circumstances during the EOKA Greek Cypriot guerilla campaign for the end of British rule in Cyprus, she fearlessly entered the country to marry Ted, a young US naval officer who was on assignment at the American Consulate in Nicosia.

She flourished in her role as a mother, teacher and homemaker for her three children.  There was never a day that she didn’t want to show her acquaintances pictures of the family, grandchildren, and her beloved Maltese named Tofu.  A Navy wife - strong but flexible, gracious and without complaint and in support of her husband, Phyllis organized ten separate household moves which included the Philippines, Morocco and Japan.  She traveled the world with her family.  An active member of the Naval Officers Wives Club, she was an incredible role model for young and old.  Always a smile, and forever charming, an excellent bridge player, and wonderful hostess, there wasn’t a moment that one did not find her engaging.  In 1986, she settled back into Southington, but truly enjoyed spending time in the serenity of her homes in Gouldsboro, Maine, and Pebble Beach, California.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Alma (Ramke) Morway.

In addition to her loving husband of 61 years CAPT Fredrick (Ted) Morley Tettelbach, USN (Ret.), she leaves behind her three children; son CAPT Fredrick M. Tettelbach II, USN (Ret.) and his wife Karen of Potomac Falls, VA; daughter Betsy Tettelbach Dinkler and her husband CDR Karl Dinkler, USN (Ret.) of Fairfax Station, VA; and son CAPT Clayton Tettelbach, USN (Ret.) and his wife Peggy of Fairfax Station, VA; and six grandchildren, Carlin Paige Davinsizer (Capt Kyle, USMC), Madison Renee Tettelbach, 1LT Keaton Frank Tettelbach, USA (1LT Jessica, USARNG), ENS Jackson Sneath Tettelbach, USN, Marin Jane Tettelbach, and MIDN Hunter Ford Tettelbach, USN .

Private services will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Daughters of the American Revolution or to the Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach, CA.  The family wishes to send a huge thank you and express their sincere gratitude to her extended family of nurses and caregivers at Southington Care Center for an amazing year that provided her incredible happiness, joy, love, care and support throughout her stay.

Sympathy cards are welcome. Condolences may be written to the family at www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.