Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt, died peacefully at 97 on July 8, 2018, in Topsfield, MA.
Phyllis was born and bred in South Boston, or as she knew it “God’s Country”. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Marguerite Cullinane. Phyllis had three sisters – Marguerite, Florence and Priscilla - all of whom predeceased her. She was married for 62 years to William J. “Bill” Pucci who passed away on January, 6, 2005. On their 50th Anniversary, Bill wrote a love note to Phyllis that began, “It has been such a great life to have you as my wife, companion, pal and lover. You are still as beautiful as you were on our wedding day.” She and Bill set the best of examples for their four children in countless ways. No one can recall that they ever quarreled, or even exchanged angry words. They shared the same core values – the importance of family, valuing education for their children as the pathway forward and treating others with love and compassion, all wrapped in old fashioned warmth and decency.
Phyllis was a devoted mother to four children: William P. Pucci and his wife Linda of Ipswich; Stephen Pucci and his wife Jeanne of West Newbury; John Pucci and his wife Mary Bates of Northampton, MA; and Phyllis Clougherty and her husband Charles of Scituate. She was a loving grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 12 great grand-children. Phyllis and Bill also acted as parents to nieces and nephews when the need arose. To Phyllis and Bill, there was no “us and them” in the greater family, there was only “us”.
Phyllis graduated from Girls High School in Boston. Thereafter she worked in business before accompanying Bill to Washington, D.C. where he was stationed before shipping out in the Navy during WW II. Upon Bill’s return, they settled in South Boston for many years before migrating to Quincy and ultimately down the “Irish Riviera” to Scituate where they enjoyed many years in their dream home overlooking the ocean. It was in Quincy and Scituate where they welcomed their sprawling family from all corners for traditional Sunday roast beef dinners. Phyllis was well known for beginning every family visit with questions like “How are the kids?” and always ended the day by urging everyone to “Count your blessings”. She set an example of the deep meaning of motherhood, and with Bill, they set an example of how the simple things in life can yield great joy and happiness. Theirs were lives well lived.
As time went on and Phyllis aged, she never lost her spark and warm disposition. During the difficulties of Bill’s late illness, and her own periodic health challenges, she displayed a deep resilience and set an example of how to deal with adversity. In her final months, she even taught us how to leave our world with dignity and grace, never losing her sweet disposition or sense of humor. In those months, she was content to sit with family visitors and catch up on family news, sometimes outside her building on the porch, holding hands with whoever was visiting, and smiling and waving a greeting to whoever came and went.
We will miss her. She gave us much.
Funeral services will begin with a wake on July 15 from 2-5 PM at the Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 16 at 10:00 am at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. And then a reception at a local restaurant for those who wish to come.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18