Phyllis A. Barboza, 82, of Austin Avenue, Smithfield, passed away on Friday February 28th in the Stillwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by her family.
Born in Central Falls, she is the daughter of the late Phillip and Evelyn (Racquier) Dupras. She lived in Smithfield for 35 years, previously living in Cumberland.
Phyllis graduated from Notre Dame High School and was the Captain of the Cheerleading Squad. Following High School, she was a Hairstylist and then became a Hairdressing Instructor at Arthur Angelo’s School of Cosmetology. In 1989, Phyllis went back to school and graduated from Rhode Island College with a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling. She also completed a year of Post-Graduate Studies prior to obtaining her licensure for Psychotherapy. Phyllis established a solo practice in both Johnston and Smithfield before joining the group practice, Sheehan Psychotherapy Associates. She practiced psychotherapy there until her retirement in 2020.
Phyllis was a member of the American Counseling Association and joined many agencies that donated services to victims of trauma throughout the States of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Phyllis loved nature and in her spare time often enjoyed taking long rides during which she would marvel at the trees and the ocean. She enjoyed reading, crafting, knitting, crocheting, meditating, classical music, and snow. Phyllis was also very interested in history and politics.
She leaves her children, Kelly A. DeMarco of Delray Beach, FL and Carrie R. Xavier of Coventry. She is the grandmother of Ashley DeMarco of Johnston, Aaron DeMarco of Washington, DC, Michael Parker of North Providence and great-grandmother of Adriana Peck of Johnston. She also leaves her sister-In-law, Gail Bonitati of Jupiter, Florida and nephew, Phillip J. Dupras, III and his family of North Providence. Phyllis also leaves her former husband Michael J. Barboza of Harrisville. She will miss her grand puppies, Mack and Mandy of Coventry.
A Memorial Mass will be held on March 28th at 11:00am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Smithfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of Phyllis at Plant Memorial Tree: https://plantmemorialtree.com Plant Memorial Tree