SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Phyllis A. LaValley, 84 of South Glens Falls, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, in Groton, Massachusetts.
Born on November 17, 1932 in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late Jeremiah and Sarah (Stockton) Toomey.
Phyllis was a graduate of South Glens Falls High School and continued her education at SUNY Plattsburg and ACC and after moving to New York City, she took night classes at NYU.
While working at Philips-Norelco in NYC, Phyllis met her future husband, James Preston. In 1957, they were married and spent 12 wonderful years together in Queens before his untimely death in 1969. James left behind two young boys, Steven and Michael that Phyllis raised as fine young men.
In 1974, Phyllis and her sons moved to the Glens Falls area, where she began her career at the Glens Falls City School District. She worked in the reading lab and until this day, many of her students still kept in touch. Phyllis also was employed at Saratoga City Court where she was an administrator, retiring in 1994, after 10 years of service. After her retirement, she enjoyed travelling with her second husband, Paul LaValley, throughout this country and to England to visit her son, Steven.
Volunteering was a large part of Phyllis’ life. She enjoyed helping out at Moreau Elementary School, delivering Meals on Wheels and manning the Election Booths in Saratoga County. Phyllis also was an avid bowler where she was a member of senior teams. She also loved tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, all the while, drinking her favorite beverage, Pepsi. Phyllis was also proud to be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2475 in Glens Falls Auxiliary. Although Phyllis did many things, the center of her life was her three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Samantha and Michael.
Besides her parents and husband, James, she was predeceased by her second husband, Paul, who died in 2006, after 20 years of marriage and her sister, Marijane Goetten.
Survivors include her two sons, Steven Preston and his companion, Christine Chadwick of Queensbury and Michael Preston and his wife, Amie of MA; her daughter, Joann LaValley of TX; her three grandchildren, Elizabeth Preston of MA, Samantha Preston of FL and Michael T. Preston of MA.
Calling hours will be today, May 17, 2017 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc, 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Burial will be in Southside Cemetery in South Glens Falls.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to SPCA of Upstate NY, 588 Queensbury Ave., Queensbury, NY 12804 or the Renal Dialysis Center, 3 Broad Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
