Obituary of Phyllis Linehan

Phyllis L. Linehan, a retired Executive Secretary at New England Telephone passed away after a brief illness at the Lahey Clinic Hospital in Burlington on Monday Morning, January 13, 2014. She was 84 years old. Phyllis was born in Somerville, the oldest child born to William and Frances Oatley. She grew up in Watertown and was a graduate of Watertown High School. She went to work as a member of the secretarial pool at New England Telephone. After 40 years with the company, she retired as the Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Finance. She enjoyed her long career with the phone company, her managers, and her coworkers. It seems funny to say that a woman with no children could be a Matriarch of a family, but that was true for Phyllis and the Oatley family. Phyllis was the oldest of the family and made every effort to be there for all her family. As a sister, she was the one her siblings could look to for guidance, support, security, or a helping hand. She was the fun “Auntie Phyllis” who indulged her nieces & nephews and great nieces and nephews. She eagerly was there whenever someone needed a babysitter. For Phyllis, babysitting was a gift, not a chore or obligation. She loved children and made each and every one of her nieces and nephews special in their own way. It can be easily said that Phyllis was always there for those she loved. Phyllis, along with her longtime companion, Bill, embraced life and the world. The both loved music and dancing. Date nights were often spent in a ballroom dancing up a storm. They enjoyed traveling the world seeing all the history and beauty the world offers and experiencing different cultures and customs. They especially enjoyed touring Europe. Summers were often spent with family on the beaches of Cape Cod and family gatherings at her sister’s home in Eastham. Phyllis loved being out, on the go, and sharing time with her many family and friends. Phyllis was the loving companion of the late William Bissett. She was the sister of John Oatley of Waltham, Carole Reardon of Naperville, IL, Frances Hay of Palm Harbor,, FL, and Dona Sheytanian of Burlington. She was also survived by many nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and friends. 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 Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at Noon. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Phyllis’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.