Obituary of Phyllis A. Gattiker

     Phyllis A. Gattiker, of Burlington, passed away on Tuesday morning, October 9, 2018 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House. She was 84 years old.  Phyllis was born in Newton. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants; Michael and Anne Cappello.  Her childhood home in the Newton Highlands was filled with deep Italian traditions, values, and cuisine.  She always enjoyed spending time in the kitchen with her mother learning to cook and bake.  She graduated from Newton High School.  Her brother Michael’s best friend, Dick, was always hanging around her home.  Eventually a romance ensued and Michael’s best friend also became his brother-in-law.  Phyllis and Dick started their married life in Newton.  They purchased their first home in Billerica in 1965 and then they settled in Burlington in 1980.  Phyllis worked as a teacher’s aide at the Hajjar Elementary School in Billerica for 12 years.  She then worked for 13 years at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington as a Respiratory Aide. 

     Phyllis was an incredible cook and baker.  She could make all the Italian dishes, but also could cook any other type of cuisine.  She loved exploring new recipes. She also made delicious cakes, breads, pies, and cookies.  Her “Nannie Cookies” were her grandchildren’s favorite treat.  Holidays were a very important part of her life.  She would spend days preparing for the holiday.  For example, her Thanksgiving dinner was usually 7 courses and no one ever left her table hungry.  Wherever she went, she always brought something delicious with her to share.  As her vision declined, she joined a support group as part of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). In true Phyllis style, she always brought special treats to their monthly meetings.  Some members wondered if she came to the meeting for the comradery and support or to have another group of friends to cook for!    She also loved to shop, but never for herself.  She was always picking up treats, outfits, and whatever might be on sale for her children and grandchildren.  She was simply a kind and caring woman, who was always thinking of other’s first.

     Phyllis was the beloved wife of Richard H. Gattiker. She was the loving mother of Christine McKay of Dracut and Nancy Viens & her husband Robert of Methuen.   She was the proud grandmother of Richard, Michael & Matthew McKay and Nicholas, Emily & Alexandra Viens.  She was the sister of Rita Cappello of Sterling and the late Michael Jr. & Richard Cappello.  

     Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m.  Burial to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, BURLINGTON.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Phyllis’s name may be made to MABVI, 200 Ivy St. Brookline, MA 02446 www.mabcommunity.org  For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net