Phyllis A. Lena


Date of birth: 05/09/1947
Date of death: 08/19/2013
Visitation Hours: 2-4 & 7-9 pm Thursday at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst
Service Time: Funeral Mass 10:30 am Friday at St. Michael\'s Roman Catholic Church, West End, Long Branch
Cemetery: Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport
Funeral Home: Oakhurst
Phyllis Anne Lena, 66, of Long Branch, N.J., passed away Monday, August 19, 2013, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, N.J. She was born in Asbury Park to Philip and Irene Narle. She attended Holy Spirit grammar school, graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and received her degree in elementary education from Monmouth University. She was a teacher in the Long Branch school system for 30 Years. Together with her husband, they owned and operated Anjelica's in Sea Bright for the past 17 years and the restaurant at Elberon Bathing Club in Elberon for 25 years.

Phyllis fought a courageous 28 year battle against eight separate cancers. She had an incredibly supportive and close group of girlfriends who stood by her throughout those challenges and whom she loved tremendously. She, in turn, passed on her dignified strength to them. Mrs. Lena was a gifted teacher, having been named Teacher of the Year. She also trained numerous student teachers over the years and passed on her passion and love of the profession to them. She was an avid reader and felt it was never too late to learn. Phyllis was a collector of antiques and never happened upon a garage sale or thrift store she didn't find a "treasure" in. Her "circuit" of shops included Furnished with Love, Jewish Family Services, Family and Children Services, Habitat for Humanity and Back on the Racks. She especially liked the auctions of William Baron and Son, Asbury Park and C.T. Peters, Red Bank. She loved a good bargain. Phyllis was a true patriot with a deep love for her country and her fellow man. Her heart was always rooting for the underdog in life, love and sports. She loved life and never missed having a good time with her family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Philip and Irene She is survived by her husband Raymond, Long Branch; daughter, Anjelica, Interlaken, N.J.; sister, Camille, Ocean Twp., N.J.; stepson, Jesse, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; and four grandchildren: Julia, Jack, Grace and Charlie.
The Lena family invites all of Phyllis' friends back to the family residence at 570 Monmouth Place in Long Branch for a repast and a celebration of her life.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 & 7-9 pm Thursday at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30 am Friday at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, West End, Long Branch. Entombment will follow at Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Furnished with Love, 583 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, Family & Children's Services, 191 Bath Avenue, Long Branch, NJ or to Habitat for Humanity, 193 Long Branch Avenue, Long Branch, NJ.

For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.