Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
A Mighty Woman
Frequently when speaking of Phyllis, you would hear it said, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” While true of Phyllis, it can also be said that she was a “mighty woman.” We all know and saw how she adored her husband, Larry, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Let us also remember that Phyllis joined into and contributed so much in her own way to the Irish community and Comhaltas near and far. There are too many ways to list her contributions but the amount of “behind the scenes activities” from folding and stamping hundreds of monthly newsletters to putting up with seemingly endless calls for music or Comhaltas-related items, all the while raising a large family, is mind boggling.
Much more can and will be said over the coming days. The overriding thought I have now is, “How wonderful it is that Phyllis and Larry are together again.”
For the rest of us, I offer an Irish blessing, familiar to most of us and such a powerful image. “Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”
To her family, friends and relations, on behalf of the Reynolds Hanafin Cooley CCÉ board members, we offer our sincere condolences.
Phyllis’s death notice has been printed below for your convenience. If you wish to leave a message for the family, a link to the obituary is provided.
Obituary
Reunited with her beloved husband, Larry, Phyllis M. (Preece) Reynolds, of Waltham, entered into eternal life on Monday, November 30, 2020 at the Parlin Hospice House in Wayland following a period of declining health. She was 88 years old.
Phyllis was born in Everett to the late William and Minnie (Chandler) Preece on June 28, 1932. Raised in Concord, she was a graduate of Concord High School. In 1953 she met Galway native, Larry Reynolds, and the two were married in Saint Bernard’s Church in Concord a year later, on April 30, 1954. They shared fifty-eight wonderful years together until Larry’s death on October 3, 2012.
After living for a brief time both in Somerville and in Lexington, the two settled in Waltham in 1964 making it their lifelong home. Filled with life, laughter, and plenty of music, Phyllis, a piano player, and Larry, known for his talent on the fiddle, passed on their love of music and friendship to their children.
A devoted wife and mother, she and Larry made the Reynolds home a warm, loving, inviting, and comfortable place for relatives and friends to come whether it was for a quick visit or an extended stay. With their household being a popular gathering spot, Phyllis quickly became a familiar face to many of her children’s friends and even to their families with her gentle way and genuinely sweet demeanor. She loved being active in the Saint Jude community and helped as a lunch and room mother at the parish school and had been a longtime member of the Ladies Sodality. As her children grew older and began having families of their own she continued to be integral in her grandchildren’s upbringings as well. Never shying away from a sports game, feis, play, or frequent visit, her heart was complete when family was near.
In addition to the Saint Jude Parish community, Phyllis and Larry were also active members of the Hanafin-Cooley Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí n h’Éireann (CCE), co-founded by Larry in 1976. The organization promotes traditional Irish culture, music and dance in the Boston area. There, the two spent many laugh-filled nights and made countless happy memories with their dear friends.
In addition to her husband, Larry, she is reunited in Heaven with her sister, the late Marjorie Morgan, and her beloved son, the late Brian E. Reynolds.
She leaves her children, Lawrence F. Reynolds, Jr. of Waltham, Deborah A. Bendall and her husband, Sean, of Maynard, Michael J. Reynolds, and his wife, Diane, of Plymouth, James J. Reynolds and his wife, Diane, of Belmont, Sean W. Reynolds and his wife, Sheila, and Kevin P. Reynolds and his wife, Lisa, all of Waltham; her grandchildren, Brian, Megan, Andrew, Sara, Emma, Michael John, Tena, Eric, James, Jennifer, Tara, Kasey, Shannon, Sean, Jr., Liam, Declan, Brigid, Molly and Kevin; her great-grandchildren, Austin, Cara, Isabella, Victoria, Braedon, Parker John, MacKenzie, Fiona, Seamus, Stephen, Zoanna, and Aidan; and several nieces, nephews, and their families.
Family and friends will honor and remember Phyllis’ life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, December 7th from 3 to 7 p.m.
Out of an abundance of love and concern for family and friends, Phyllis’ Funeral Mass will be celebrated privately in Saint Jude Church. Burial will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.
Phyllis’ Funeral Mass was livestreamed at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8th.