Phyllis Perkins Blunda

Phyllis Perkins Blunda, age 98 passed away after a brief illness, on October 6th at the Prescott Nursing Home where she became a resident just a few months ago. She was the daughter of Horace E. Perkins and Pauline Woodward Perkins and a direct descendent of John Perkins, a founding Ipswich pioneer in 1633.
Phyllis was a lifelong resident of Ipswich and attended local schools graduating in 1942. She went on to attend the Boston School of Dental Nursing Class of 1945 and began work as a dental assistant to Dr. Fred Wilder of Ipswich. During WWII she worked for the Navy Dept. inspecting fuse bombs and sighting planes on Town Hill Tower. In 1949 she married Frank Blunda of Ipswich who built their home on High St., raised three children there, and were known for cultivating their own "Blunda" strawberries
for many years.
While raising their children, Phyllis worked part time for Dirk Visser Bulbs and White Cap Seafood, both in the neighborhood. When her husband Frank passed away in 1976, she returned to the medical field working as an assistant to Drs. Kenneth Cesa, Laurent Thibeault, and William Edgerton, all podiatrists and Dr. Guy Chouinard, optometrist, all on Choate Bridge. Upon retirement she worked part time at Hills Family Store.
Phyllis was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church where she sang with the Jr. and Sr. choirs, taught Sunday School, and served on many committees over the years. Back in the l950's, she and her sister Marion became Girl Scout leaders as well and for 20 years she sang with a local group of women called the Silver Strands. They sang locally and in nursing homes which brought her much joy. On becoming a widow, she began traveling to Europe and Hawaii with her church group of friends and embarked on a few cruises. As a young girl she enjoyed taking dance classes learning ballet and toe tap. In her old age she loved to reminisce about singing and dancing on a radio station in Haverhill back in the 30's.
As a child her summers were spent at nearby Asbury Grove, a Christian camp where her parents had a cottage. This upbringing instilled her strong faith in Jesus and inspired her to raise her children accordingly.
Throughout her life her hobbies included knitting, reading, ceramic classes and her weekly gatherings for over 50 years with the "club girls", a group of 7 lifetime friends. Only one, Ginny Visser, remains today. Her best friend Gladys Wegzyn joined her for coffee each day once the kids left for school. They were also famous beach bums as Crane's Beach was the highlight of her summers. Phyllis inherited her father's sense of humor. Even in her old age, she was always joking, hardly ever serious. She entertained the staff at Prescott House daily with her antics.
Phyllis leaves behind her three children, Sandra Hanwell of Ipswich, Bethany, and husband Wallace Footit of Westfield, and Kevin Blunda of Springfield, partner Carlos Vega. She was blessed with 7 grandchildren Meghan, Johanna, Zachary and Caitlin as well as Kimberly, Alyssa and Brianna and 13 great grandchildren. Her love of all these children was unconditional, her smile full of joy when she saw them, and her heart full of love. Although in later years she suffered from dementia, she never failed to recognize her family and would light up at the sight of each one. Family was her whole life. Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Frank Blunda, her son in law Robert Hanwell and her two sisters Marion Holda and A. Carol Tuneburg.
Her funeral service will be celebrated at the Living Faith Methodist Church, 2 Dane Street, Beverly on Saturday, October 14th at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly on Friday, October 13th from 4pm to 6pm. Burial will be at Cowles Cemetery, Ipswich. Contributions may be made in Phyllis' memory to the Living Faith Methodist Church, 31 No. Main St., Ipswich or Partners in Development, PO Box 901 Ipswich. Arrangements by the Campbell-Porter Funeral Home. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbell-porter.com