Mrs. Phyllis Mary (Getto) Benward, of Wilmot, 74, died on Sunday, February 23, 2014, at New London Hospital of complications from a long-term illness. Phyllis, daughter of Mathew and Emma (Rapp) Getto of New Jersey, is predeceased by her husband Kenneth E. Benward (1933-1986); her parents, Matthew and Emma Getto; and survived by her brother Mike of Reigelsville, Pennsylvania; brother Paul of Stanhope, New Jersey; sister Barbara of Hellertown, Pennsylvania; sister Dorothy of Milltown, New Jersey; her four children, Shirley E. Barry of Newport and husband, Rodney; Kenneth J. Benward of Warner and wife, Connie; Nancy L. Bates of Andover and husband, Thomas; and Aisha Karen A. Khan of Spring, Texas, and husband, Kamran; and six grandchildren: Emma, Lauren, Burhan, Kenneth, John, and Yusuf.

Phyllis was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and she and her husband lived in New Jersey until 1980 when they moved to Wilmot. Phyllis was retired from the Mascoma School District in Canaan, where she worked for 20 years.

Phyllis attended Community Lutheran Church in Enfield, where she was an active member for over 30 years. She loved gardening, reading, quilting and sewing, doing jigsaw puzzles, crafting, and, most of all, spending time with her family and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those who knew Phyllis to contribute to a scholarship fund in honor of her and her late husband, Ken. Please make checks payable to Community Lutheran Church and clearly indicate that it is for the Kenneth E. and Phyllis M. Benward Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Calling hours were held on February 28 at the Chadwick Funeral Home in New London. A service was held on March 1 at the Community Lutheran Church in Enfield.