Phyllis Audrey Burgess was born April 23rd, 1929, in Montclair, New Jersey as the youngest daughter to Berkeley and Charlotte Burgess. She was a rather precocious child, a little rambunctious, but very well mannered. She received her BSc. from Long Island University, always mentioning that it was the Brooklyn campus, and did graduate studies at Montclair State University, Columbia University and NYU.

Phyllis was an adventurous person with a passion for travel. She drove across country several times with friends before interstate highways existed. It was no wonder that her adventurously curious spirit led her to develop many innovative programmes related to her job.

Phyllis loved her job, and approached it with such unwavering enthusiasm; she kept this same fresh excitement beyond her retirement, because she never truly retired.

In 1953, Phyllis was hired as a Speech Therapist by the Cerebral Palsy Centre of Essex & West Hudson Counties, more affectionately and simply known as ?the Centre.?

She was appointed Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Centre in 1985. Her work ethic there was untiring, and she had the unique ability to lasso whomever was willing, and even some who may have not been so willing, to be a part of her commitment ensuring that the disabled were considered a viable part of the community at large.

Her work at the Centre was her passion, her inspiration, and the fulcrum of her humanitarian success. These efforts displayed themselves in the many programmes she initiated at the Centre and included innovations such as a performing arts workshop which produced shows for the past 14 years; the Treasure Chest fundraising project, which was a gift/thrift shop; and the Adult Travel Group. It is the travel group which may have been the most successful.

The trips that this group of disabled young adults took were not merely sight seeing excursions; they were a means of eduction and enlightenment. The Adult Travel Group went all over the world including England, Italy, France, and at least 45 of America?s 50 states. this programme was so successful that even nondisabled persons clamoured to be a part of these expeditions.

After retirement, Phyllis continued her effort to reveal to the world the unending possibilities disabled people posses. She chaired Montclair, New Jersey?s Advisory Council for People with Disabilities for 21 years. As a member of this council, she initiated a yearly symposium where the disabled were made aware of the programmes and facilities that were at their disposal, and provided an arena wherein the disabled could make recommendations as to what could further be accomplished to assist others with disabilities.

She also continued the performing arts programme, the travel group, and was the Coordinator for Trinity Presbyterian Church?s travel programme.

As a family member Phyllis was encouraging and understanding, promoting education and culture. She leaves behind: her brother, Berkeley Burgess, a sister, Lorraine Gardner, who will miss her dearly; nieces Ellen Burgess, Andrea Frye, Francine Karney, Michelle Burgess, and Pam Burgess; nephews, Berkeley Burgess, Dennis Burgess, Howard Gardner, Carl Burgess, Theodore Towns; as well as great nieces and nephews.

To the friends and spouses of her nieces and nephews she was known as Auntie. It was an endearing term, and is a testament to her warmth, charm and how everyone she came in contact with wanted her as a member of their family.