Phyllis (Izzo) Almy, 93, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 surrounded by her loving family, including her beloved husband of 67 years, Richard T. Almy.
Born in Providence, RI on January 21,1932, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Pasquale A. and Victoria (San Antonio) Izzo. Phyllis resided in Cranston where she spent the majority of her life with her husband, Richard raising their daughters. Family was the foundation of Phyllis’ life and she instilled that value in all of her family.
Phyllis met Richard while working at City Hall Hardware, where she hired her future husband and love of her life. They wed on June 15,1957 and were blessed with three daughters. Phyllis loved traveling with her children and grandchildren, taking memorable trips to Santa’s Village, Disney, Cape Cod and her most cherished vacation, Myrtle Beach, where she and Richard celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with the entire family. She fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking a solo trip to Italy to explore her heritage and deepen her faith.
Phyllis was very involved with her daughters in all of their childhood activities, serving as an assistant girl scout leader and active in the Parent Teacher Association in the Cranston schools. She was a volunteer for the RI Family Court, in the office of the Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children (CASA).
After staying home with her children for 10 years, Phyllis returned to work. She spent a short time at the Cranston School Department as a teacher’s aide and then as an Admissions Administrator at Cedar Crest Nursing Center for seven years before she began her 15- year career for the State of RI as a principal Clerk in the Department of Human Services, retiring in 1994.
Phyllis lived a life full of joy and unwavering love for her family. She was a woman of many interests, each of which she shared generously with those she loved. Whether it was ice skating, bowling, relaxing at the beach or perfecting her garden, Phyllis embraced life with enthusiasm.
Her hands were always busy—whether knitting for friends and family or sewing beautiful clothes for her daughters and grandchildren. Her creations were not just fabric and yarn, but expressions of her love and care.
One of Phyllis’ greatest gifts was her love for cooking, especially when it came to her Italian heritage. The much-anticipated Christmas Eve Seven Fish dinner became a cherished tradition, passed down lovingly, particularly to her daughters and granddaughters.
Phyllis’ faith was a cornerstone of her life. As a devout Catholic, she was a communicant of both St. Ann's and St. Mark’s Parishes, where she found comfort and strength. She instilled that same faith in her family.
She was a devoted wife to Richard, caring for him at home until 2023, when they moved to Atria Senior Living so they could continue their love story together. They celebrated life’s milestones- birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births and the many accomplishments of their growing family. Phyllis and Richard’s strong marriage was a beautiful example for their family, inspiring some of their grandchildren to marry on their anniversary, June 15th.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Richard T. Almy and three devoted daughters: Judith Almy- Coutu and her husband William of South Dartmouth, MA, Sandra Almy Hayes and her husband Kurt of Westport, MA and Cynthia S. Rosa and her husband Frank of Westport, MA; her brother Sen. Thomas J. Izzo of Cranston, RI; her sister: Gloria Storti of Cranston, RI; 10 grandchildren: Jennifer Maus, Lauren Coutu, Chelsea Schell, Nicholas Rosa, Lyle Rosa, Robert Hayes, Courtney Bridges, Ali Hayes, Harrison Hayes, and Jacob Hayes; 6 great grandchildren: Parker and Connor Maus, Knox Bridges, Jack Schell and Trystan and Tori Hayes along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mark Church, 31 Poplar Drive, Cranston, RI 02920.
Interment will follow at St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, RI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101 or to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.