Obituary of Margaret A Phillips

Margaret “Peggy” Philips, a retired Raytheon inspector, passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, January 20, 2019. She was 87 years old. Peggy was born in Boston, she was one of 4 daughters born to Albert and Margaret McNamee.  She grew up in Boston and was a graduate of Roxbury Memorial High School.  She married her late husband, Donald, at the age of 20 and they settled in Waltham to raise their family.  She was a stay at home mother when her children young.  She would later go back to work at Raytheon where she worked as an electrical inspector at Raytheon in Waltham.  It was her responsibility to inspect the wires and cables used in the missiles and other products manufactured by Raytheon.  She retired with over 15 years with the company.  In their retirement years, Peggy and Don tried wintering in Melbourne, Florida for a number of years.  The warm weather was wonderful, but Peggy missed her grandchildren much too much.    

Peggy had a creative and artistic personality.  She loved the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.  She was a fun and whimsical grandmother.  She loved when she was asked to care for them when their parents were at work, doing errands, or out on a date.  She could be a kid at heart and wasn’t bashful to get on her grandchildren’s level and be a kid again.  She loved playing games with them, playing dress up, or doing all sorts of crafts with them.  She was a talented artist and painter.  She was a mother who loved her children unconditionally. She had an incredibly strong bond with her sisters. She dabbled in sculpture, sketched, and painted with oils and watercolors.  Her family has numerous pieces of her artwork which they will forever treasure.  Peggy moved to Burlington 20 years ago and became active in the Tower Hill Senior Tenants Association.  She enjoyed those years and even held some painting classes for her neighbors.  She was extremely independent and drove until she was 86 years old.  She enjoyed going shopping with friends or picking interesting destinations where she would enjoy a picnic lunch.  Peggy was the type of person who was always looking out for others and lending a helping hand.   Her family and friends will remember Peggy for her fun and creative spirit, her kindness, and the loved she showered upon them all.

Peggy was the beloved wife of the late Donald C. Phillips. She was the loving mother of Margaret Santana & her husband Francisco of Rockport, formerly of Waltham and the late Paul E. Phillips. She was the cherished sister of Ruth M. Curry of Burlington, Muriel F. McNamee of Burlington, and Elinor R.  McNeil of Weymouth. She was the proud grandmother of Patricia and Michael Santana of Rockport. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Visiting hours Thursday, Jan. 24 from 4-8 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side). Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at Noon.  Services will conclude with a Burial in Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org