1935
Phyllis
2017
Phyllis 'Sugar' (Seay) Joseph
February 21, 1935 — March 13, 2017
Biography
SHREWSBURY - Phyllis "Sugar" H. (Seay) Joseph, 82, passed away on March 13, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 21, 1935 and raised in Worcester, the daughter of Osborn and Dorothy "Nina" Seay.
Sugar was a 1953 graduate of Commerce High School and married Everett "Chick" Joseph in 1954. She met Chick at the age of 12, when he walked her home from a Jewish Girl and Boy Scout dance. Together they enjoyed 63 years of marriage and their love set the bar high as an example for their family. Sadly, Chick passed away recently on February 19, 2017.
Sugar was injured, her family lost their home and everything they owned, in the 1953 Worcester Tornado. She did not let this define her life, for this tragedy taught her that possessions were fleeting, but family and friends were precious gems to be nurtured and protected. She was an amazing woman, extremely hard worker and extraordinary baker. Her pastries, birthday cakes and cookies were legendary. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a very strong work ethic and taught us that no matter what happens in life, we could achieve our dreams with education, hard work and dedication.
Sugar and Chick settled in Shrewsbury in 1959. After their children started school, Phyllis began her career in 1969 as an administrative assistant to Dr. Leon in Northborough and Empire Furniture in Worcester. She then became a function coordinator for The Spencer Country Inn in Spencer, Indian Meadows Country Club in Westborough, The Royal Plaza in Marlborough and ended her career at the age of 76 as the General Manager of the White Cliffs in Northborough.
In retirement, Sugar loved playing Mah Jongg with "the girls", going to Foxwoods (where she perfected a "system" and was a winner every time), needlepoint, relaxing with Chick at their vacation home in Charlottesville and was a huge Red Sox and Patriots fan. In her younger days, Sugar was a volunteer Hebrew teacher and principal at Temple Sinai in Worcester and taught Braille to the blind.
Sugar will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grammie, daughter, sister, auntie and friend.
Besides Chick and her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law; Bernard (Butch) and Anna Joseph of Worcester, her brothers-in-law; Alfred Joseph of CT and Peter Roy of Worcester and her cousin; Mildred Anderson of Charlottesville VA.
Sugar is survived by her loving children; David and his wife Janine Joseph of Shrewsbury, Amy and her husband W. Scott Gerrish Jr of Brimfield and Heidi and her husband Allan MacDonald Jr of Boylston. She leaves her cherished grandchildren; Alexis Joseph and her fiance Ben Bertram of Hampton NH, Rachele Joseph and her husband Rares Petritoi of Middleton, Joseph and his wife Maria-Chace Gerrish of Hampden, Ryan MacDonald and his partner Megan Anderson of Barre, Matthew MacDonald of Boylston and one great grandson; Hendry Michael Gerrish. Sugar also leaves her loving siblings and in-laws; Irwin "Sonny" and his wife Adele Seay of Longmeadow, Lorraine and her husband Noah Gordon of Dedham, Patricia Roy of Worcester and Arlene Joseph of CT, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Fran, Evelyn and Katherine for the loving care they gave our mother over the past few months, they are true angels.
Grammie was our family matriarch, our self proclaimed "Queen Mother" and the frosting that held our family together. She was our biggest cheerleader and it was an honor to have known and loved her.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 17, AT TEMPLE EMANUEL SINAI, 661 SALISBURY ST., WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN.
Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury, followed by a sympathy gathering at the residence of David and Janine Joseph. With gratitude for all the help they provided her family after the tornado, Memorial Contributions may be made in Phyllis's name to: The Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org or call: 1-800-725-2769.
Funeral Services
Friday
March 17, 2017
,
10:30 AM
at
Temple Emanuel Sinai
Click for Map and Directions
Burial to follow Service
Friday
March 17, 2017
at
Mountain View Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
SHREWSBURY - Phyllis "Sugar" H. (Seay) Joseph, 82, passed away on March 13, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 21, 1935 and raised in Worcester, the daughter of Osborn and Dorothy "Nina" Seay.
Sugar was a 1953 graduate of Commerce High School and married Everett "Chick" Joseph in 1954. She met Chick at the age of 12, when he walked her home from a Jewish Girl and Boy Scout dance. Together they enjoyed 63 years of marriage and their love set the bar high as an example for their family. Sadly, Chick passed away recently on February 19, 2017.
Sugar was injured, her family lost their home and everything they owned, in the 1953 Worcester Tornado. She did not let this define her life, for this tragedy taught her that possessions were fleeting, but family and friends were precious gems to be nurtured and protected. She was an amazing woman, extremely hard worker and extraordinary baker. Her pastries, birthday cakes and cookies were legendary. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a very strong work ethic and taught us that no matter what happens in life, we could achieve our dreams with education, hard work and dedication.
Sugar and Chick settled in Shrewsbury in 1959. After their children started school, Phyllis began her career in 1969 as an administrative assistant to Dr. Leon in Northborough and Empire Furniture in Worcester. She then became a function coordinator for The Spencer Country Inn in Spencer, Indian Meadows Country Club in Westborough, The Royal Plaza in Marlborough and ended her career at the age of 76 as the General Manager of the White Cliffs in Northborough.
In retirement, Sugar loved playing Mah Jongg with "the girls", going to Foxwoods (where she perfected a "system" and was a winner every time), needlepoint, relaxing with Chick at their vacation home in Charlottesville and was a huge Red Sox and Patriots fan. In her younger days, Sugar was a volunteer Hebrew teacher and principal at Temple Sinai in Worcester and taught Braille to the blind.
Sugar will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grammie, daughter, sister, auntie and friend.
Besides Chick and her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law; Bernard (Butch) and Anna Joseph of Worcester, her brothers-in-law; Alfred Joseph of CT and Peter Roy of Worcester and her cousin; Mildred Anderson of Charlottesville VA.
Sugar is survived by her loving children; David and his wife Janine Joseph of Shrewsbury, Amy and her husband W. Scott Gerrish Jr of Brimfield and Heidi and her husband Allan MacDonald Jr of Boylston. She leaves her cherished grandchildren; Alexis Joseph and her fiance Ben Bertram of Hampton NH, Rachele Joseph and her husband Rares Petritoi of Middleton, Joseph and his wife Maria-Chace Gerrish of Hampden, Ryan MacDonald and his partner Megan Anderson of Barre, Matthew MacDonald of Boylston and one great grandson; Hendry Michael Gerrish. Sugar also leaves her loving siblings and in-laws; Irwin "Sonny" and his wife Adele Seay of Longmeadow, Lorraine and her husband Noah Gordon of Dedham, Patricia Roy of Worcester and Arlene Joseph of CT, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Fran, Evelyn and Katherine for the loving care they gave our mother over the past few months, they are true angels.
Grammie was our family matriarch, our self proclaimed "Queen Mother" and the frosting that held our family together. She was our biggest cheerleader and it was an honor to have known and loved her.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 17, AT TEMPLE EMANUEL SINAI, 661 SALISBURY ST., WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN.
Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury, followed by a sympathy gathering at the residence of David and Janine Joseph. With gratitude for all the help they provided her family after the tornado, Memorial Contributions may be made in Phyllis's name to: The Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org or call: 1-800-725-2769.
Funeral Services
Friday
March 17, 2017
,
10:30 AM
at
Temple Emanuel Sinai
Click for Map and Directions
Burial to follow Service
Friday
March 17, 2017
at
Mountain View Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Phyllis 'Sugar' (Seay) Joseph, please visit our flower store.
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