Phyllis K. Martin

Phyllis K. (Kowalski) Martin, 91 of Manchester- By-The-Sea, Massachusetts died peacefully in her own home with her son and daughter by her side on Mother's Day, May 11, 2025. Born on December 12, 1933, in Wallingford, Connecticut, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Anthony Kowalski and Maybell (Helms) Kowalski as well as the beloved wife of the late David Martin who passed away in April of 1996.
Phyllis graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1952 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Connecticut in 1956, at Storrs, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. After graduation she joined Trans World Airlines (TWA) as an airline stewardess to travel Europe and North America. Upon leaving TWA she became an editor at DC Heath Publishing Company in Boston, Massachusetts where she met her husband, David Martin from West Hartford, Connecticut.
Phyllis moved with her husband David to Southboro Massachusetts and taught in Grafton, Massachusetts before relocating to Manchester-By-the-Sea, Massachusetts to raise a family in 1967. She returned to teaching in the 1980s as a Special Education Teacher at Fuller School in Gloucester, Massachusetts, while earning a Masters of Education in Special Education at Lesley University. Phyllis then moved to the O'Malley Middle School in Gloucester, Massachusetts where she worked as Special Education Teacher and a Special Education Evaluator for many years.
Although Phyllis retired from full time teaching in 2000, she continued to work in education as a Reading Education Consultant for Gloucester High School and an Adult Basic Education Teacher for Catholic Charities in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Phyllis is known for her love of Mystery Novels and was a member of the Mystery Book Club at the Manchester By-the-Sea Public Library. In her free time Phyllis engaged in numerous civic activities such as serving as the Vice President and later President of the Manchester Woman's Club. After stepping down as President of the Manchester Woman's Club she continued to coordinate the Lighting of the Friendship Tree as well as the Christmas Concert for Manchester-by-the-sea for many years.
Phyllis is survived by her two children; Edward J. Martin of Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts and Kristin H. Martin of Beverly Farms, Massachusetts; along with her nieces, Elizabeth McClure and Susan Chase, and her nephews; Anthony Chase, David Scher, Phillip Scher and Michael McClure. In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her sisters; Gail McClure and Audrey Scher.
Phyllis's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts, on Friday, May 23rd at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachusetts, on Thursday, May 22nd from 4pm to 7pm. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Phyllis' memory to Catholic Charities. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com