Phyllis J. Davis

Phyllis Jean Davis, a longtime resident of Saugus, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025. She was 96 years old. Born in Medford on August 31, 1928, Phyllis is one of three children of the late Garfield and Susan (neè Murley) Emberley. She grew up in Saugus and graduated from Saugus High School, class of 1947. She married the love of her life, Warren (Bud) Davis, in 1949. Proud mother to Glenn Davis of Arlington, Gary Davis of Wakefield, Gayle Davis of Lawrence, and loving grandmother to Kate Davis of Salem, NH. Phyllis considered her daughter-in-law, Gary's wife, Cindy Davis, and Kate's mom, Ellen Down, as her daughters.
Phyllis is survived by her brother, George Emberley, who she adored. She looked forward to his visits and loved reminiscing about the old days, trips to Newfoundland, and life in Saugus. Most of all, he made her laugh.
She was devastated by the loss of her sister and friend, Gin, in 2021. The siblings and spouses got together often and shared many great times. Virginia and her husband Lenny Jesse, George and his wife Mary Emberley, Phyllis and Bud frequented Danversport Yacht Club and other local favorites.
Phyllis loved nothing more than having her family and extended family, Nancy and Marky Ralph, sit around her dining room table on Vincent Street and "just yak."
For more than 50 years, almost without fail, Phyllis and Nancy got together every Friday. The tradition started by walking their first-born sons, Glenn and Nancy's Scottie, in strollers. They transitioned to lunch at the Hammersmith diner and getting their hair done by their favorite hairdressers, Linda Jesse and Elaine Scalfani. They would end the day with a movie, then back at Phyllis' for a highball or glass of wine and cheese.
Phyllis' most precious memories were with her husband, Bud. After his retirement, it was hard to find them at home. They were visiting family and friends, finding new places for lunch, taking trips to Plymouth to visit Paul and Nancy Scheid, a cruise to Bermuda, a weeklong rail tour through the Canadian Rockies, and just enjoying time together.
When the pandemic began, Phyllis's lifeline became Alexa Echo. She even learned to reboot it when it was down. She enjoyed her weekly video chats with her sister-in-law Shirley Lord and daily chats with her sister Gin, niece Linda, daughter-in-law Ellen, and her kids.
In 2020, Phyllis moved to Sunrise Senior Living in Lynnfield, where she called home after not too long. The Sunrise team became part of her extended family. Her kids are grateful for the wonderful care and attention she received.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to be made in honor of Phyllis Davis to the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, where Phyllis spent her final week. giving.caredimensions.org/
SERVICE INFORMATION:
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Ave., SAUGUS on Thursday from 10 – 10:45 a.m. followed by a service in the funeral home at 10:45 a.m. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.