Phyllis Anetta Daley

Phyllis Anetta Daley was born on April 1st, 1938 in Petersfield District Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies. She was born to parents Harold and Hortense Smith and was the third of eleven children. Phyllis attended Petersfield All-Age school where she completed her first level of education. During her late teens she met and fell in love with Kenneth George Josephs from Mandeville and subsequently moved there to build a life with him. That courtship produced two children, a son, (deceased in infancy) and later the eldest daughter Judith (Donna). Phyllis resided in Mandeville for a period of time however, in an effort to support her daughter and the rest of her family she sort work in Montego Bay and was employed by an English family (the Lord’s) as a caregiver. Judith (Donna) remained in Mandeville where her paternal grandmother Rachel took care of her. During her time in Montego Bay, Phyllis gave birth to two children, daughter Sharon (Gay) and son Threscott (Chris) however, due to the demands of her employment in Montego Bay she entrusted the care of Sharon and Chris to her parents and eldest sister Nora (now deceased) who resided in Strathbogie, Westmoreland. While in Montego Bay she met her late husband James Daley. He pursued her for many years and always told everyone that she was the one he was going to marry, they got married in 1978. In an effort to continue to provide support for her children & siblings, Phyllis sort a sponsor in the United States of America to make a better life. This sponsorship was made possible by a close friend from Mandeville who resided in America at the time. The sponsorship was successful, and Phyllis migrated to America in 1970. She resided with her sponsors (the Schneider’s) on Long Island as an au-pair, cared for their three children, grandparents, extended family and friends for over thirty years. In 1979, James migrated to join his wife in America and in 1980, she secured financial security which allowed her children Judith (Donna), Sharon (Gay) and Threscott (Chris) to finally be with her and James. In 1983, she pursued higher education and obtained a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She continued to provide care to elderly friends of the Schneiders. Her care was not limited to healthcare, it was reflected in countless shipments to her family and community in Jamaica. The orphans she sponsored and her monthly gifts to several charities aligned with Phyllis’s giving heart. Her faith as a Christian manifested in her giving spirit. At our home in Hempstead, Phyllis frequently welcomed family and friends. She was famous for her Christmas dinner where everyone enjoyed a deliciously prepared banquet. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking and serving, and delighted in seeing her family partake of the bounty. She would sit back and smile, the jokes and laughter are memories she created that will last forever. Phyllis had an undeniable beauty. She carried herself with grace, dignity, class and style. Her smile spoke volumes and captivated everyone where she went. In 2015, Phyllis retired and moved back to Jamaica with James however, for health reasons she returned to the United States and resided with Judith (Donna) in Huntington and Sharon (Gay) in Westbury. On July 8, 2026, Phyllis took her last breath surrounded by her family. She is survived by four sisters: Fay, Pauline, Geta and Linda. Two brothers: Winston and Devon. Two daughters: Judith (Donna) and Sharon (Gay) Son: Threscott (Chris) Stepson: Ainsley Two Son-in-laws: Savenor (Eddie) and Robert Four Grandchildren: Junior, Tracey, Tara and Sydney Grandson-in-law: Justin Two Great-Grandchildren: Kayden and Yanice Bell Nieces, Nephews and a host of other relatives and friends Phyllis lived to the age of 88 and in those 88 years, she touched countless lives. We are blessed to call her “Mommy, Sister, Aunty, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Cousin and friend. ” To know her was to love her. Our lives will never be the same- she left us with a legacy of precious memories and a love for each other that will be cherished forever

Phyllis Anetta Daley

April 1, 1938 - July 8, 2026