Phyllis Ardyth Staveley, a retired Providence elementary school teacher who lived in Warwick most of her life, died Sunday at Scandinavian Retirement Center. She was 97.
Born in Providence on March 28, 1918, Miss Staveley was the daughter of the late Arthur and Annie (Balmforth) Staveley, who operated a butchery and bakery business in the city. The family moved to Warwick Neck when Miss Staveley was 13, and she attended schools there. In 1941 Miss Staveley was graduated from Rhode Island State College, now the University of Rhode Island (URI), with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. Ready for employment at the onset of World War II, Miss Staveley was hired at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, becoming one of millions of women taking on non-traditional trades to support the war effort. For the duration of the war, Miss Staveley learned metalsmith work for airplane repair and maintenance and became a Metalsmith 1st class. Her experience and related artifacts are archived at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in California.
After the war, Miss Staveley became a librarian and eventually an elementary school teacher. She was awarded a Master of Arts degree from URI in 1971 and was selected for membership into Alpha Delta Kappa, the international honorary organization for women educators. Over her lifetime, Miss Staveley avidly pursued interests in photography, world travel, hand crafts and family genealogy. She was active in the Pilgrim Senior Center in Warwick and, during later years, in the Scandinavian Home community.
Miss Staveley was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert and Harry Staveley. She is survived by a niece, Pamela Ann Staveley of Edgecomb, Maine; two grandnieces; and numerous close friends.
Funeral arrangements and visitation are by Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home in Warwick. Private burial will be at Edson Cemetery in Lowell, Mass. For the completed funeral schedule, please visit www.barrettandcotter.com
