Halifax – Phyllis E. (Petrila) Smith, 77 died Saturday July 9 in her Halifax home surrounded by her loving family, after a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of the late Ray H. Smith.
Born in Wheelwright, MA she was the daughter of the late Bruno and Josephine (Szeduikis) Petrila.
Phyllis had been an active resident of Whitman for over 50 years before retiring to the Halifax Mobile Home Estates 5 years ago. While a resident of Whitman Phyllis had been a 30 year member of the Whitman Mother’s Club and was a participant of the locally famous “Mother’s Club Show”. She was a longtime communicant of the Holy Ghost Church and a member of the East Bridgewater YMCA for many years.
She had worked for 25 years at the former Balsam’s Gift Shop at the Westgate Mall.
Phyllis enjoyed playing cards and treasured the time she spent “jamming” with her family as she played the accordion. She was a loyal fan of her children and grandchildren and over the years attended their countless sporting events.
She was the perfect example of a woman who had “Lived Well, Laughed Often & Loved Much”.
She is survived by her loving children David H. Smith and his wife Claudia of Whitman, Russell B. Smith and his wife Carol of Plymouth, Nancy Long and her husband Edward of Hanover, Elizabeth DeGiorgis and her husband Enzo of Illinios, and Laurie Lefrancois and her husband Paul of Paxton, MA, and her sister Frances Johnson of Kansas. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Shirley Zuppio and Jacqueline Holden.
Her funeral mass will be held Wednesday July 13 at 9 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday July 12 from 4-8 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman.
Donations in her name may be made to Hospice of the South Shore 100 Bay State Drive / Box 859060, Braintree, MA 02185.