Obituary of Phyllis Elsie Salvato

Another leaf fell quietly off a deeply rooted Hunterdon County family tree today. 

Phyllis York Salvato, daughter of the late Mulphy Jeliffe York and Alta Philhower York, passed away peacefully at her home on May 9, 2023 in Mountainville NJ, having come full circle to the town where she was born, 89 years ago. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, godmother and grandmother throughout her life.

Phyllis was the granddaughter of a long line of Hunterdon County farmers whose names adorn road signs throughout the county – Apgar, Philhower, Seal, York, and Sutton. She attributed her long life to her twice daily 2- mile trek between the family farm and the Mountainville one room schoolhouse. She was a member of the first North Hunterdon High School graduating class and went on to study nursing at Rutgers and Somerset Hospital; and became a labor and delivery nurse at Hunterdon Medical Center. 

She met her husband of 63 years, Emanuel Salvato, when she needed service on her 1952 Fastback Nash Rambler and stopped at the newly opened Colonial Motors in North Branch. They married in 1959 and raised three children - MaryJane, Nancy and Gregory in Branchburg NJ. The family returned to the Mountainville- Philhower homestead in 2000 after an extensive renovation project.

 Phyllis was an exceptionally talented decorative painter, who constantly strove to improve her art, and took lessons throughout her life. Her memory lives on in the numerous paintings she shared with friends and family over the years. She also enjoyed being out in nature, gardening and birdwatching.           

 Her brother, Richard Aaron York predeceased her in November 2022. She is survived by her beloved husband Manny, her daughters Mary Jane, Nancy McDermott and her husband Tim, their children Nicholas and Makenzie from Whitehouse Station, Son Gregory, wife Colleen and their children Jeremy, Zachary and Jaqueline of Branchburg. All of whom cherish her memory.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday, May 12^th starting at 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, with a Catholic prayer service starting at 12:00 pm. All services will be held at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ, 08809. Interment will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Annandale. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.martinfh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phylis’s memory, may be made the Alzheimer Association at www.alz.org. Please Click Here to Donate