Filomena "Phyllis" Marsilia

“Phyllis” (Filomena) Cuozzo Marsilia, 93, passed away peacefully in Warwick, Rhode Island on February 19, 2020. Phyllis is survived by her beloved sons of whom she was eternally proud: Ronald Marsilia and his wife, Joyce, of Palm City, Florida, and Robert Marsilia and his wife, Evelyn, of Kittery, Maine. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Meaghan Williams and husband, Jason, of Richmond, Virginia, Jessica Kerley and husband, Blake, of Frisco, Texas, Austin Marsilia of Richmond, Virginia, David Marsilia of Salem, Massachusetts, and Jerome and John Witkowski of Kittery, Maine; great-grandchildren: Isabelle Williams, and 3 more on the way, Nora Kerley, Charlotte Williams, and John Williams; former daughter-in-law, Jean Marsilia of Saugus, Massachusetts; and her dear friend, Janice Marino of West Greenwich, Rhode Island, who was by her side every day. Phyllis was born March 12, 1926 in Boston to Valentino and Rose Cuozzo who migrated to the United States from Casino, Italy in 1913. She grew up in East Boston in a close and loving family of 10, with 7 sisters and 2 brothers, and her passing marks the last of her siblings. Phyllis was always a vivacious and energetic individual with an amazing work ethic, and she was a strong, high-spirited woman in body and soul. She spent her early years in her dress shop in East Boston where everyone looked forward to seeing her stylish ensembles. She later established a life-long career working for the City of Boston rising to become the Head Cashier for the Collector Treasurer’s Office. Phyllis held great pride in her family’s military service for our country, and she presided as the Women’s National President of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States where she spoke before large audiences and was honored to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in Arlington National Cemetery atop a hill overlooking Washington D.C. Her family was always most important to Phyllis, and hosting her famous Christmas Eves with over 60 family members celebrating the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes into the wee hours of Christmas morning was a memorable event that everyone looked forward to each year. She was an excellent dancer with a beautiful singing voice, she loved to travel to warm beaches and make the occasional trip to a casino, and she always joked that her greatest joy was shopping, especially in the original Filene’s Basement in downtown Boston. Many of her happiest days were spent in the warm sun and sea breezes walking the beach in Revere, Massachusetts in front of her home there. To honor Phyllis’ memory, her family and friends are all invited to attend a memorial service there in Summer 2020 to celebrate her life (details to be shared at a later date). Remembrances may be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association in Memory of Phyllis Marsilia at www.alz.org