Cozy Corner memorial dedicated to beloved Ocean Township Librarian

By:  | March 10, 2025 |  | 

By Emma Sylvia

When one imagines a “corner”, they might imagine a part of the room that is frequently passed by, tucked away and unadorned. In a library, it might be home to a bookshelf or an informational stand. However, the Ocean Township Library created something much more meaningful when they decided to honor a pillar of not just the library itself, but of Ocean Township as a community. 

On January 25, the Monmouth County Library’s Township of Ocean Branch dedicated “Mrs. Fyfe’s Cozy Corner” to Phyliss Fyfe. Fyfe was born April 19, 1933 in Ridgewood, NJ and passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023. A resident of Oakhurst since 1965, her loss was felt tremendously by her community and coworkers. Dozens of Ocean Township residents attended the dedication ceremony.

The love in the room, for both the library and Mrs. Fyfe, was palpable. Several speakers stood at a podium to offer heartwarming recollections of her. Mary Patterson, Branch Manager and Library of the Ocean Township Library, said: “Phyllis had an unwavering dedication to the Ocean Township Library and her deep belief in the library's role as a cornerstone of our community. As a library, we strive to be a place where knowledge is shared, curiosity is nurtured, and connections are made. It is through the vision and commitment of individuals like Phyllis that we continue to fulfill that mission.”

It wasn’t just Fyfe’s work family that treasured the event. Her children, Laura and Bob, attended the event as well. I had a chance to meet Laura, who was ecstatic about the event. She recalled one of her favorite stories about her mother:

“A back-to-school night at Ocean Township Jr. High (now Intermediate School), was running long for the opening statements before the parents split up to go to the individual teachers’ classrooms, and the principal leaned over to my mom and told her she wouldn’t have time to speak. She said she was there, and she had something to say but would keep it brief. She got up, the principal introduced her as the librarian. She looked out from the stage at all the parents and said, ‘Read. Read. Read’ and sat back down. I believe she got the most applause that night. But that was her philosophy, and she was consistent. From the time my brother and I were able to read (about age 4), we were encouraged to read, read, read!  When she retired after almost 50 years of public service at age 77, she had much more time herself to read and she really embraced the idea of the Kindle. She would read a book every day or every other day.” 

Mrs. Fyfe’s Cozy Corner was helmed by The Friends of the Township of Ocean, an all-volunteer, member supported nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the programs of the Ocean Library. The corner itself was the result of nearly a year of planning on their part. Board member Barbara Saint John proposed its conception, and after approval from the library staff, the corner came to life. Saint John, at the dedication, said, “For the woman who spent years as a librarian and educator in the school system and served with the Friends as either president or vice president, Phyllis deserved nothing less than an area to be renovated and named in her honor. I like to think the world had Mr. Rogers, but we had our very own Mrs. Fyfe, and we are so grateful for that. We will never forget Phyllis' smile, her wit, and her willingness to help others.”

Fyfe’s contributions, and the corner, were recognized at a state level too. Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, who attended the dedication with her daughter, said, “We were so proud to be part of the dedication ceremony for Mrs. Fyfe’s Cozy Corner of Ocean Library – a space that will embody her legacy of dedication to our community. Mrs. Phyllis Fyfe was a constant presence in Ocean and lifelong volunteer, working as a librarian and educator. It was an honor to meet her family and celebrate her life and legacy with all who knew and loved her.”

Saint John thanks all those that helped make the corner possible. The town’s fantastic DPW –who painted, laid the carpet, hung signs and “basically whatever [the library] needed done.” Kevin at All Surface Painting and Power Washing refused payment after finding out his work – hanging tree decals to liven the space up – was toward a dedication for Mrs. Fyfe. Lapidus Decor in Long Branch reupholstered the chairs for the corner, created cushions, and provided the shades. Local establishment Fox Floor supplied the tiles, and G & M Trophy in West Long Branch was a big help with creating the plaque that proudly hangs on the wall of the corner in honor of Mrs. Fyfe. 

The Friends of the Township of Ocean Library, enhances the library’s programs and resources through making direct gifts of materials and equipment, providing volunteer help for library events, organizing used book sales and fundraising events, sponsoring special programs and activities, and raising community awareness of library services. With 400 members from Ocean Township and neighboring communities, The Friends organize a large Book Donation Day, two major book sales and other community events.

It’s hard to put into words the work that not just the library accomplishes, but the hearts that Phyllis Fyfe touched in her time in Ocean with the library. Perhaps the best way to honor her legacy is simple: Read, Read, Read!

To learn more about The Friends of the Ocean Township Library, visit friendsofoceantwplibrary.org