Phyllis D. Bertekap, 75, of Fords, passed peacefully on Sunday, May15, 2022, at the JFK Medical Center in Edison.  She was born on February 17, 1947, in Perth Amboy, NJ, was formerly of the Port Reading section of Woodbridge Twp., and had resided in the Fords section of Woodbridge Twp. for the last 60 years.  She was a member of the first graduating "Class of '65" at the John F. Kennedy High School in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Twp.  She was enrolled in the National Honor Society, and was Secretary to the English and Athletic Departments, earning herself an "Athletic Letter."

Phyllis was very active in the Lady of Peace RC Church in Fords, where she served as a Lector for six years from 1985 to 1991, sang as an Alto in the church choir for 38 years from 1980-2018, and played in the handbell choir for 20 years, from 1998 to 2018.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2009 and served as a Chaplain for them and also served as Chairman of the American Indian Committee from 2010 to 2014.

She was a devoted wife and mother and after lovingly raising her family, she went into a career with another love – animals and after 21 years of working as a Veterinary Technician she retired from the Country Animal Clinic in Monroe Twp. in 2013.

Her hobbies included cooking, baking and collecting recipes.  She was very skilled at all forms of needlework and she designed many of her own patterns. Other hobbies included Pysanky, Folk Art painting, and essentially all other forms of crafting.  She especially adored the Christmas season and combined this with her love of crafting to transform her home annually into a red and green wonderland.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Florence Kollar and her brother, Joseph Kollar, Jr.

She leaves behind her beloved family: her husband of 55 years, Robert L. Bertekap; her daughter, Elissa; and her son and his wife, Robert and Laura Bertekap, Jr of Wallingford, CT.  She is also survived by her two cherished grandsons, Robert Bertekap, III and Nicholas Bertekap, along with her many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will take place on Saturday morning, May 21, 2022, at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave. Fords, NJ 08863 from 8:30 am to 9:00 am, with a Funeral Service beginning at 9:00 am followed by a 9:30 am Funeral Liturgy at Our Lady of Peace RC Church in Fords. Cremation services will follow privately.

Please, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to AngelPaws.org or to any other "No Kill" Animal shelter of your choice.