Mrs. Phyllis A. Durkin

April 25, 1924 - April 3, 2016

Phyllis A. (Shea) Durkin, Devoted Mother and Grandmother; 91 Phyllis A. (Shea) Durkin, 91, a member of a well-known Lowell family, died peacefully Sunday, April 3, 2016 surrounded by her loving family at D’Youville Senior Care Center on Varnum Avenue in Lowell. She was married to the late Gerald J. Durkin for 47 years before his death in 2002. Born in Lowell on April 25, 1924 in her family home at 415 Varnum Avenue, Phyllis was the daughter of the late James T. Shea and Mary T. (Barry) Shea. She spent her childhood in Pawtucketville. Phyllis grew up as a parishioner of St. Rita Parish and played the drums as a proud member of St. Rita’s Cadets. Phyllis graduated from Lowell High School in 1942. She was a graduate of Bradshaw Business School and Lowell Commercial College. During World War II, she worked in the offices of Remington Arms, Bethlehem Steel, and U.S. Rubber. She later worked in the office of H.P. Hood and Sons where she met her husband, Gerald. They married and raised their children in the Highlands section of Lowell. As her children grew, she returned to work part time at Lowell General Hospital in the Central Supply Department retiring in 1986. An active member of St. Margaret Church for 62 years, Phyllis served as a member of the board of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality and continued as a member throughout her life. In addition, she taught religious education. Phyllis is survived by her children, Gerald J. Durkin Jr. and Jeannine (Letendre) Durkin of Dunstable, and Deborah A. (Durkin) Francoeur and Paul J. Francoeur of Lowell; her grandchildren, Aisling Durkin Francoeur of Boston, Paul Joseph and Natasha (Grob) Francoeur Jr. of Gloucester, Barry Durkin Francoeur, and Siobhan Durkin Francoeur of Lowell. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Claire (Neylon) Durkin of Lowell and many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was also the sister of the late Ursula R. (Shea) Emond and Joseph Emond, James T. Shea Jr., Barbara M. (Shea) Lally, John J. Shea, Virginia Shea, and Marion F. Shea. Her Durkin family included the late Edward J. Durkin, Dorothy T. Durkin, James J. and Frances (Dunn) Durkin Jr., John L. and Mary (Hickey) Durkin, Paul F. and Constance (Howard) Durkin, Walter B. and Roseanne (Cox) Durkin, Harold J. and Frances (Ryan) Durkin, and Brendan T. Durkin. Phyllis was a loving dedicated daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother, a caregiver to all. She made it her purpose to serve others, and she held her faith and family paramount. She completed her circle of life on Varnum Avenue in Pawtucketville, “The Garden of Eden of the Merrimack Valley.” FUNERAL NOTICE DURKIN—in Lowell, April 3, 2016, at D’Youville Senior Care Center, Phyllis A. (Shea) Durkin, 91, beloved wife of the late Gerald J. Durkin. Family and friends may call at the FAY MCCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on FRIDAY from 3 until 8PM. Phyllis’s FUNERAL will begin on SATURDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH 374 Stevens St. Lowell. Her burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Phyllis’s family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the care, comfort, and respect that she received from the wonderful staff at D’Youville Senior Care Center. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Phyllis’s memory may be made to St. Margaret Parish Renewal and Renovation Fund, 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, MA 01851 or to Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Congregational Mission Office, 30 Jeffrey’s Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com