Phyllis Mary Paquette (Mealey), the sassy and classy matriarch of the Paquette family clan of Marshfield, Massachusetts passed away at home on December 10, 2023.  She was surrounded by loved ones and her devoted dog Toby.  She was 92.

Phyllis Mary Mealey was born on September 13, 1931, in Lynn MA.  She was the second child born to the late Joseph Mealey of South Boston and Alexandra Spellman of Dundee, Scotland.

Phyllis grew up in South Boston with her siblings: her older sister, the late Eleanor Anselone; and her younger brothers, Joseph Mealey of NH and the late James Mealey. She attended St. Bridgit's School in South Boston where she excelled in basketball, and she graduated at the top of her college class from the Boston Clerical School. It was here in the Point neighborhood that she would meet her lifelong best friend, the late Priscilla (Burke) Bumstead and where she would also meet her first love, her husband, Leo T. Paquette.

Phyllis was fiercely independent and determined to continue her post high school education, so after turning down Leo's marriage proposal three separate times, he gave her an ultimatum.  She had to say yes before Saturday, or he would never ask her again.  Not wanting to lose him, Phyllis was still deciding on that Friday when Leo called her from his usual payphone.  "You're off the hook", he said.  "I've been drafted for Korea."

Upon his return from the war and her graduation from college, they were married.  After settling in Portland Maine and then back to South Boston, they eventually moved their young family to the new Southport neighborhood in the beautiful beachside town of Marshfield in 1961. Tragedy struck in 1979 when her beloved husband Leo was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Determined to take care of her family and obtain health insurance for her sick husband, she began her career as a legal secretary with the Gillette Corporation located in the Prudential building in downtown Boston.

Now a widow at 47 with 4 grown children and a burgeoning career in the city, she decided to go out dancing with a girlfriend. It was that fateful night that she would meet her next love, Anthony LaScola of Boston.  After his persistent pursuit, they began to date and spent many a night waltzing away at Moseley's on the Charles.  Tony and Phyllis spent the next 44 years attending the symphony, dining at their favorite restaurants, traveling the world, adopting dogs, cooking delicious gourmet meals, entertaining friends, vacationing with family on China Lake, and absolutely enjoying life.

In addition to her beloved partner Tony, Phyllis is survived by her children: Regina Paquette of Marshfield; Leo T. Paquette, II and his wife Jeanne of North Yarmouth, ME; Greg Paquette and his wife Julie of Hampstead, NC; and John Paquette of Lee, NH. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Katie Lloyd and her husband Mike of East Bridgewater, Pamela Souza of Marshfield, Philip Souza of CA, Leo T Paquette III and his fiancé Samantha Shannon of ME, Chantal & Christian Paquette of NC & Andrew Paquette and his wife Abi of NC, and Lindsey Paquette of NH.  She was also the great grandmother to Natalie & Aubrey Frasca of Marshfield and Daniel Paquette of NC. In addition to her family, she was also loved and supported by her caregivers Kim, Lana and Linda; Tony's sons Paul, Mark and the late John LaScola; along with countless nieces, nephews, dear friends and wonderful neighbors.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Service will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Christine's Church, 1295 Main St, Marshfield, followed by burial in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Marshfield.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com