Marlborough – Phyllis I. (Fortin) Tremblay, 98, of Marlborough passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Marie-Esther Alliance Healthcare facility in Marlborough. She was formerly a resident at New Horizons Assisted Living for four years and lived independently until two months ago. She was preceded in death by her husband of 77 years, Leonard “Len” Tremblay, who died in February, 2021.
Phyllis was born in Marlborough, the daughter of the late Arthur N. and Anna V. (Sears) Fortin.
She is survived by her two sons, Leonard A. Tremblay, Jr. and his wife Jeannine of Merrimack NH, and Attorney Michael J. Tremblay and his wife Kathleen of Hudson. She also leaves her five grandchildren: Mark, Sean, Jason, Abigail and Sadie; six great-grandchildren: Brianna, AnnMarie, Nicholas, Jayden, Beckett and Carlisle, and a great-great granddaughter Isabella. She was predeceased by her four siblings: Anna J. Normandin, Flora L. Jolie, Lorraine L. Losapio and Robert E. Fortin.
Phyllis graduated from the Immaculate Conception School in 1938, and Marlborough High School with the class of 1942. She was employed for many years as office manager for oral surgeons Drs. Jerome Anderson and Thomas Gelsinon in Marlborough. She was a life member of the Sweet Adelines International and a founding member of the Marlborough Sweet Adeline chorus where she served twice as President, but was most well known as the costume designer and seamstress of costumes for more than 60 years. She also co-chaired the committee that brought the 1970 International Sweet Adeline Quartet Competition to the Hynes Auditorium in Boston.
Phyllis was well-known as an expert seamstress and rescued many weddings with last minute alterations of bridal gowns. Her sewing room was adorned with hundreds of photos from grateful brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the brides wearing her finished products.
Phyllis was a life-long member of the Immaculate Conception parish in Marlborough, served on the parish School Advancement Committee, and sang in the choir for many years.
Phyllis always put the needs of others ahead of her own, and selflessly took foster children into her home, many of whom stayed in touch like actual family members for many years. Although she only had two children of her own, family photos always contained four or five children in the household.
Visiting hours will be Friday, February 17th from 5-7 p.m. at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. 40 Pleasant St., Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18th at 12:00 noon at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough, MA 01752. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beach Street, Marlborough MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Anne, Marie-Esther, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752.
