Mary Phillips

Phillips, Mary J. (Arbour), 90, a lifelong resident of 1 Berwick Avenue, peacefully passed away at Philip Hulitar Hospice Center on May 13, 2016, the feast day of Our Lady Fatima. She was the wife of the late William M. Phillips. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late John and Alice (Murphy) Arbour and sister of the late Eileen Wyant. She was predeceased by twin baby boys, Francis and Mark.

As a well-known and loved school teacher for the Town of North Providence for over 30 years, Mary touched the lives of thousands of children. She was a former secretary for the Visiting Nurses Association and graduate of the former Rhode Island College of Education and St. Xavier Academy.

Ever devoted to her Catholic faith, Mary was a catechism teacher, as well as a member of the St. Ann Sodality at the former St. Lawrence Church, Centredale and a member of the 3rd Order of Dominicans.

Mary was a talented artist, natural singer, and avid gardener whose large backyard was always full of flowers. Most of all, she was a faithful and dedicated wife, mother, and Mém&egravere.

She is survived by five children; Kathleen Mary Corpuz and husband Felix, John Mark Phillips, Maryann Alice Bennett, Jeanne Marie Phillips, and Eileen Mary Fiore and husband Henry, as well as eleven grandchildren; Geoffrey Monti, Elizabeth Corpuz, William Fitch, Joseph and Christopher Bennett, Dustin Larmore, Alice Verlezza and husband Michael, Emily Fogarty, Peter, Andrew, and James Fiore; and a great-granddaughter, Amelia Anne Verlezza.

Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:00 am from the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Mary, Mother of Mankind Church, 25 Fourth St., North Providence. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. Calling hours Tuesday 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, 399 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence, RI 02911.