Phyllis Campbell Field, 86

Little Compton, R.I.

Phyllis Campbell Field, of Little Compton, R.I., died at home on Oct. 9, 2019 after a long illness. She was the loving wife of Noel M. Field, Jr. for 57 years. Phyllis was born in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 13, 1933 to Allan Campbell and Margaret Marsden Campbell. She graduated from Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn., and from Wellesley College as a member of the class of 1955.

She was an inspiration to her family and many who knew her. Phyllis possessed a generosity of spirit that was unwavering, demonstrating regularly that we can all do more than we think we can. She was most fulfilled when engaged with efforts that helped others, brought people together, and fostered a sense of community. Private and humble by nature, she never sought the limelight, preferring to do things behind the scenes. Her convictions ran deep and her passions were many: Wherever she saw a need, Phyllis was first to stand up and mobilize with others to answer the call. She led by example and made lasting impacts in many realms of her community.

An accomplished athlete in her school days, Phyllis channeled her competitive spirit to sailing – both on and off the water – for decades. She served as Commodore of the Sakonnet Yacht Club and was the first female commodore on Narragansett Bay. She was active with the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association and, as Chair of Junior Activities, she initiated NBYA Junior Race Week, which allowed junior sailors from many yacht clubs to compete against one another. Phyllis represented the United States as crew in the European Women’s 470 Sailing Championships and competed as crew in several Yngling class national and world championships. After her time at the helm of the Sakonnet Yacht Club, she traveled to the other side of the harbor where she served on the board of the Sakonnet Point Club. Phyllis worked tirelessly, obtaining permits needed for the club to build its new facility, so that all could enjoy the harbor as she did.

Perhaps the greatest allocation of her attention, energy and resources, was spent in the realm of education. Her deep love of reading and desire to instill that in others, led her to begin her career as an English teacher at Saint Margaret’s School in Waterbury, Conn., and later at the Wheeler School in Providence. When her own children arrived, she shifted her teaching talents to the Providence public school system where she was a fierce supporter and dedicated volunteer for decades.