Grace Agnes Phillips passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center of Burlington on Friday morning at the age of 90. Born and raised in Melrose, she was the daughter of the late Frederick Charles and Jessie (Norris) Saunders. Always proud of her Melrose heritage, Grace lived in Medford for over 50 years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was proud to have worked for most of her life. Her career began with the electric company in Malden and ended at BJ’s Wholesale Club as a demonstrator. An active and instrumental leader with the St. Joseph Mother’s Club in her earlier years, Grace was happy and proud to spend time with her grandchildren, her ”pride and joy”.
The beloved wife of the late Walter Phillips, she was a devoted mother to Barry Phillips and daughter-in-law Jeanine Phillips of California, Karen LaFrazia and her husband Vincent of Medford, Diane Thomas and her husband Gordon of Billerica. She leaves her loving grandchildren Scott, Mark, Andrea, Cassandra, Jennifer, Andres and Deysi. She was the dear sister of Winifred Gelina of Groveland, Joseph Saunders and Sandy Monroe of California and the late Fred, Jack, Jimmy, Bobby, Ronnie and Dot Saunders.
Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Tuesday, January 12th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 4 – 8 PM.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Grace's name to St. Francis House, 39 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116.