Plan for the Future
Phyllis A. Monks, 85, of Florham Park and Chatham, NJ, passed away at her home on April 6, 2023. Visiting hours at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. in Chatham will be held on Monday, April 10th from 4 to 8pm. Family words of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, April 11th at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home at 11am followed by interment at Fair Mount Cemetery in Chatham.
Born in Dover, NJ, the daughter of Philip and Alice (Pierson) Esposito, Phyllis was raised in Netcong, NJ where she graduated Salutatorian of Netcong High School, class of 1956. She had also attended Hood College in Maryland and the Katharine Gibbs School. In her earlier years, Phyllis was a private secretary at the advertising firm of Young & Rubicam in New York City prior to starting and raising her family. She was a long time member of the Chatham Fish & Game Club and enjoyed bowling, skiing, traveling the world, the Gameshow Network, and spending time with her family at the beach In Avalon, NJ.
Phyllis was the beloved wife of the late Roscoe “Ross” Monks. She was the loving mother of Roscoe Monks, III (Libby), Leanne Gray (Barry), Douglas Monks (Kristen), Phyllis Vanderkooi (Joseph), Lynda Monks, Cynthia Tracy, and David Monks (Kristen). She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Dana (Josh), Jackson (Mindy) and Amy, Andrew (Laura) and Ethan (Cady), Emily, Alex, Aaron and Laurel, Jessica and Katie, Thomas, Timothy and Samantha, and Grace, Wyatt and Toby, great grandchildren, Clara, Ruby and Hattie, Maddox, Piper and Penelope, and Myles, and her dear brother Philip Esposito.
Phyllis was the true matriarch of her family. She will forever be remembered for her sense of humor, sarcasm, no nonsense approach, and unwavering love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was most proud of raising seven children and found the most joy when surrounded by the chaos and laughter of her large family. A woman who valued tradition, her legacy will live on through the Christmas pajama bottoms and custom t-shirts that will be passed down for generations to come. She will be greatly missed.
