Phyllis S. Woodward

Phyllis S. Woodward passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Rancho Mirage Health & Rehabilitation hospice on February 20 following a brief illness.

Phyllis was born in Brockton, MA July 19, 1935, daughter of Peter and Catherine Sargelis. Phyllis graduated from Brockton High School, and is a graduate of Massachusetts General Hospital Nursing Program. In her twenties, Phyllis was a bold international traveler. She would work as a nurse in Boston, save her money, and then go traveling. She traveled alone or with a close girlfriend all through Europe, Asia and South America. Phyllis met her husband, Bob, in Boston, and they were married in 1965. Phyllis moved around with her husband to Houston, TX, Honolulu, HA, Old Greenwich, CT, Concord, MA and to Reidsville, NC in 1982. While living in Reidsville, Phyllis had many community interests. She was a member the Federated Women’s Club, the Centennial Study Club, the Professional Advisory committee of Rockingham County Hospice, Little Garden Club, Friends of the Library, Board member Reidsville Family YMCA, Board member of the Rockingham County Medical Auxiliary, sat on the Greensboro Day School Parents Council, YMCA Board of Directors, Greensboro Symphony Society Board of Directors, and was a Greensboro Symphony Guild member. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Chinqua Penn, and Board member of the Penn House Commission. Phyllis volunteered for the Arts Council, the Reidsville Soup Kitchen, the Rockingham Literacy Program, and rang bells for the Main St. Methodist Church. Phyllis was also one of the original “soccer moms.”

 Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert Woodward of Reidsville, daughter Kate Moriarty of Durham, son Robert Woodward, Jr, of Boulder, Colorado and grandchildren Will Moriarty, Luke Woodward, and Raven Healy. A private burial is planned on Martha’s Vineyard with Phyllis joining deceased son Douglas.

 A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023  from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home.  

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.