Norma Phillips

Norma Ann (Lawless) Phillips, formerly of Worcester, MA. passed away October 13, 2017 in Clarksville, Tennessee. She was the wife of Robert T. Phillips, Sr. of Worcester, MA for 64 years until his death on September 8, 2016. She was born in Worcester on March 9, 1933 to James B. and Marion A. (Weldon) Lawless. She graduated from the Upsala St. School, Providence St. Jr. High preparatory class, and the High School of Commerce in 1951. Following graduation she worked at the State Mutual Assurance Co. Her parents and her brother, James B. Lawless, and her sister, Elizabeth M. Hodgkins precede her in death. She leaves six children; Robert, Jr. of PA; Jessica M and her husband Omby Franks of TN; Michael and fiancée Dianne Grant Stall of CT; James M. and his wife Cynthia of Leicester, MA; Margaret E. and husband John Marshall of Worcester, MA; and John J. and wife Andrea Falcione of Sutton, MA. Eight grandchildren; Brett Franks of CA, Lia Franks of FL, Megan Gibree of MA, Stephanie Gibree of CT, Victoria Phillips of MA, Sarah Phillips of MA, Patrick and Jonathan Phillips of MA. She was a foster parent to hard to place children.
Norma was a former resident of Millbury, MA, for 41 years. She was a CCD teacher at St. Brigid’s Church for 15 years and a member of the choir. She was a Rosary maker with the Handmaids for Mary Rosary group at the church. She crocheted baby afghans for babies of single mothers.
She managed a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store for Catholic Charities in Millbury and later was an administrative assistant at the Catholic School Dept. in Student Affairs. She was an office manager for Ver-trans Fabricators, Inc. in Sutton, MA.
She was a member of the Society of Saint Mary Magdalene and the Living Rosary. She was an avid reader with interests in genealogy, especially of Sweden and Ireland; and hagiography.
In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a charity of one's choice.
A Memorial Mass will be held November 9 at 1030 at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Aurora, KY. Graveside service to follow onsite immediately following and a parish luncheon will be held following the graveside service. There will be an additional Memorial Mass held at St. John's Catholic Church, 44 Temple St. in Worcester, MA 01604 on Sunday, November 26 at 10:15.