Phyllis Z. Seton
Phyllis Z. Seton, widow of the late Fenmore R. Seton, died peacefully on August 8, 2019, just one month shy of her 99th birthday. She passed away following a lifetime of accomplishment, purpose and devotion to family, friends and the community. She will be remembered not only for her many worthy civic and philanthropic interests and for her unfailing energy but also for her personal elegance, style and good humor. Phyllis lived in the Greater New Haven area for more than 65 years. During that time she and Fen made significant and lasting contributions to the lives of those around them. Phyllis was born in New York on September 10, 1920 and grew up in New York and Weston, Connecticut. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Cornell University (1941, French literature) and her Master's in Education from Yale and Southern Connecticut State University. She married her beloved Fen in April 1942 and they shared incredibly happy and productive lives together until Fen's death in 2003. During World War II, while Fen was serving with the Army Air Force in Europe, Phyllis worked as an Associate Production Director and Program Coordinator (with the late Alistair Cooke) for the BBC (North American Services) producing radio programs for overseas listeners. In 1952 when the Air Force posted Fen to Yale, the Setons moved to New Haven. Shortly after arriving, Phyllis and Fen created the Seton Name Plate Company (SNP). Over the years SNP grew and became well established, ultimately employing many in the New Haven area. Now a major division of the Brady Corporation it is simply called Seton and has a very significant domestic and international presence. Phyllis' interests centered on children, the disadvantaged and the disabled, locally, nationally and internationally. She served in multiple capacities on many boards including Save the Children Federation, the New Haven Children's Center, Easter Seal/Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center, the Connecticut Easter Seal Society, the Edgerton Park Conservancy, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the OC Marsh Fellows at the Peabody Museum, The New Haven Creative Arts Workshop, The New Haven Colony Historical Association (now the New Haven Museum) and the International Center at Yale. From 1960-1967 she was the sole female member of the New Haven Board of Education as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Task Force administering the first major grant from the Ford Foundation to the New Haven School System. For many years she was an alternate delegate to the World Assembly meetings of Rehabilitation International, a worldwide organization working to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Phyllis and Fen were committed philanthropists. In 1979 they established and later endowed the annual Elm and Ivy Awards at Yale University, which honor members of the Yale and New Haven communities who have worked to foster and improve town/gown relationships. They also endowed the Seton Yale Book Award and the Children's Fund for Edgerton Park. While their many contributions were well recognized, they were particularly proud of their joint receipt of the Yale Medal, their honorary doctorates from Albertus Magnus College, the Seal of the City Award from the New Haven Historical Society and the Connecticut Philanthropist of the Year Award from the National Society of Fundraising Executives. Both Phyllis and Fen were members of Yale's Elizabethan Society and were long time Fellows of Calhoun (now Hopper) College at Yale. Phyllis had a life-long fascination with other cultures and visited more than 100 foreign countries. The Seton Art Gallery at the University of New Haven now houses much of their collection of New Guinea art. Even after she stopped traveling, Phyllis continued to have a lively interest in international events and developments as well as a more local focus, which included Evergreen Woods (where she moved in 2006) and where, at various times, she served on the Employee Scholarship Committee, the Art Committee, the Concert Committee and the Finance Committee. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anne Zimmerman, and her sister Mimi Zimmerman Gordon. She is survived by her loving daughter Diana (Dinny) Seton Wakerley and her son-in-law Charles both of Hamden; her two grandsons Christopher Adams and his wife Denise of Salt Lake City and James Adams and his wife Annie of Hamden; her four great-granddaughters (Zoe Adams, Sierra Adams, Emilia Adams and Aila Adams), her sister-in-law Suzanne M. Seton of Greenwich, CT and many nieces, nephews and their families. The family would like to extend special thanks to Phyllis' companion, Victoria Ruth Angwenyi who added immeasurably to the contentment of the last two years of her life. The impact of Ruth's kindness, skill, empathy and friendship cannot be overstated. Phyllis was an extraordinary and talented woman whose kindness and forbearance will endure as an inspiration to everyone who loved her. We feel her loss acutely. She is missed so very much. A memorial celebration of Phyllis' life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2019 at Beecher and Bennett Funeral Home (2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06518). In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis' memory can be made to Gaylord Hospital (50 Gaylord Farm Road, Wallingford, CT 06492), the Phyllis Z Seton Fund for Women and Girls at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510) or to an organization of your choice.
A remarkable woman with such a zest for life. I will always remember her smile.
Frank DeMayo
Dinny and Charles, and the grand and great-grandchildren of Phyllis Seton,
Please accept my deepest condolences at the loss of a truly incredible person. Phyllis (Mrs. Seton to me) was such a consistent and treasured presence during my youth on Old Orchard and then my time at Yale and thereafter. Your parents were not only generous in their philanthropy for larger, important initiatives but they were also so giving of their time and energies to individuals such as me. They were both like family and taught me so much through their caring ways and open hearts. No doubt we will all remember them through countless recollections of good times and meaningful experiences. May these memories, along with the family tree of friends, family, and so many lives they changed for the better through their largess help to buoy your spirits during this difficult time. My very best to Phyllis’ entire family. With sympathy and love-
Todd Jokl
What an amazing woman she was! My condolences to Dinny, Charles, and the rest of her family. Wendy Costa
Dinny & Charles & all the Seton offspring, Vivian & I send our deepest regrets on the passing of the truly remarkable Phyllis Seton. She was a matchless neighbor & wonderful friend and made living on Old Orchard feel like a privilege for our whole family. She lives on in memories of wonderful times spent together. With much love & sympathy, we’re thinking of you and her.
Dear Danny, Charles and family, Bob and I join with you to mourn the end of a remarkable couple. Together Phyllis and Fen brought a degree of vibrancy, caring and wamth to the entire Yale/New Haven community that will endure beyond their lifetimes and influence not only those who knew and loved them, but those yet to come. They leave an enduring legacy. Jean and Bob Adnopoz
Por distintas circunstancias de la vida he estado ausente y distanciado de gente querida como Phyllis y Fen. Conservo en el recuerdo momentos inolvidables pasados con ellos.
Siempre agradeceré su hospitalidad y generosidad y los guardaré como un tesoro en mi corazón . Un gran abrazo para Dinny y el resto de familiares.
To the family:
My name is Joan (Pumpy) Hochberg, now Joan Gitlow. Mimi and I were best friends, living next door on Sterling Street In Brooklyn, and also on adjoining acres in Stonybrook. I remember Phyllis so vividly—we thought she was the most glamorous woman in the world. And, in our world, she was. I last saw Mimi at a Stonybrook reunion about 20 years ago; I spoke to Herman a few years back and he told me of her sad decline.
Reading Phyllis’ obituary, I found that our paths crossed in New Haven, although we didn’t know it. I was directing an arts-in-education program at The Baldwin School there when the Ford Foundation invested in that school and MLK school. Little did I know that Phyllis was instrumental in making that happen.
I have strong and emotional memories of all the Zimmermans—Joe, Anne, Phyllis and Mimi. I also vaguely remember Dinny. I am very sorry to hear those two dear sisters are gone but pleased to read of the accomplishments of Phyllis and Fen.
I hope that the warmth of family helps you to deal with the profound loss.
Joan