Barbara Ruth Phillips – of Peabody, entered into rest on June 9, 2023 at the age of 91. Beloved wife of Bernard “Bernie” Phillips. Devoted mother of Susan Phillips-Gray and her late husband Howard Gray, Donna Phillips and her partner Mariluce de Souza. Cherished grandmother of Jonathan Gray and Geoffrey Gray. Dear daughter of the late Albert and Anna Halpern.
She grew up in Haverhill, graduated from Haverhill High School in 1949 and Boston University School of Education in 1953. After college she married the love of her life and raised their family together in Peabody. She was an elementary school teacher early on and later became the owner and operator of the Reading Corner Book Store in Salem with her husband Bernie.
She was a dedicated member of Temple Ner Tamid of the North Shore and active in the Sisterhood. In the community she was an active member and past president of the Salem Women’s Rotary Club. She enjoyed many summers at the Bass Rocks Beach Club in Gloucester and winters at her vacation home in Boynton Beach, FL. She was passionate about music, playing the piano, mahjong with the girls, and caring for her numerous plants. She was known for her Jewish cooking and baking, especially her Lokshen Kugel.
She cherished her time spent with family, many longtime friends, and her beloved cats and her grand-dog Lily.
A funeral service for Barbara will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:00PM at Maple Hill Cemetery, Workman’s Circle, Peabody with interment to follow.
Shiva will be held at the home of Susan Phillips-Gray immediately following the service until 7:30PM and continuing on Tuesday June 13, 2023 from 4:00-8:00PM
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130 or to Temple Ner Tamid of the North Shore, 368 Lowell St, Peabody, MA 01960.
