Elizabeth Smith
Former Williams School Lunch Mother
Elizabeth (Norkus) Smith of Medford, formerly of Chelsea, died on September 2.
Born and educated in Weymouth and Rockland, Elizabeth was a resident of Chelsea for over 50 years before moving to Medford four years ago. In her early years, she worked as a receptionist for a law firm in Boston, for Schrafft’s Candy in Charlestown but was mostly known for being a lunch mother at the Williams School in Chelsea. Devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren, she enjoyed cooking, solitaire and crossword puzzles in her spare time.
The wife of Paul R. Smith of Chelsea, she was the beloved mother of Marcy Smith-Harrison of Chelsea, Steven Paul Smith of Revere, Lynn M. Smith of Medford and Dana Charles Smith of Las Vegas, NV; sister of Michael Norkus of Hanover and Joseph Norkus of Rockland; daughter of the late Walter M. and Margaret (Gambrazzio) Norkus and cherished grandmother of Louis, Elizabeth, Steven, Jr., Santina and Dana, Jr. She is also lovingly survived by her great grandchildren, Brianna, Lilyanna, Adrien and Carter, her sister-in-law, Marlene Tyler as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Memorial Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Saturday, September 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. Committal Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the MSPCA-Angell.
Clinton Dunn
US Postal Service Retiree
Clinton H. Dunn, 66, of Chelsea, passed away peacefully on September 8 after a long illness.
Clinton worked at the Chelsea United States Postal Service for many years before his retirement. An avid sports fan, Clinton could always be found cheering on his beloved Patriots and Bruins.
Clinton was predeceased by his parents, Lorraine and George Dunn of Chelsea and is survived by his loving wife, Debra Ann (Murdock) of Revere, his son, James and his wife, Amanda of Peabody and his two grandchildren, Elaina and Ellie. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond Sr. and his wife, Maria of Salem, NH, George and his wife, Debra of Revere, his sister, Mary of Revere, and Wendy and her husband, Paul of Winchester. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Services will be held on Friday, September 16, at 11a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 230 Beach Street, Revere.
A Celebration of Life will follow at the Melrose VFW, 428 Main Street, Melrose, MA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem, MA or Caring Hearts Ministry c/o First Congregational Church.
John Randall Phillips, III
December 2, 1976 – September 11, 2022
John Randall Phillips, III, beloved husband, son, cherished family member and friend, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, September 11. He was 45 years of age.
Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the beloved son of John R. Phillips Jr., and Carol Ann (Arsenault) Phillips of Chelsea.
John began his education attending Our Lady of Grace Parochial School. He played Little League Baseball and High School Football, coached by his older brother Billy. He graduated from Pope John High School with the class of 1994 and continued his education at Bunker Hill Community College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
He married his beloved Dina M. (Gardin) Phillips 17 years ago on September 4, 2005. Together they have shared the past 26 years with great love and devotion for each other. John and Dina first met as childhood classmates, which followed throughout high school. Little did they know that’s when their love story would begin.
John worked for 15 years as a broadband technician with Comcast and has been working for the past several years as an alarm technician for ADT Security Systems.
In his all too short lifetime, some of John’s passions were riding his motorcycle, drawing, painting, sketching and writing poetry. He enjoyed music and karaoke and would serve as a DJ at many gatherings and celebrations. He also enjoyed camping and canoeing on the Sacco River. John was a lifelong resident of Chelsea and longtime active member of the Sagamore Club of Chelsea. John’s truest joy came from spending time with his family and friends and dancing with his love, Dina.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years Dina M. (Gardin) Phillips of Chelsea. He was a loving son of John R. Phillips Jr., and Carol A. (Arsenault) Phillips of Chelsea, son-in-law of Carl and Mary Gardin of Peabody, dear brother to Patti Phillips of Chelsea, Kelley and Eric Gellar of North Reading, William and Christine Phillips of Townsend and brother-in-law of Debbie Gardin of Goffstown, NH, Lori Ziedins of Malden, and Patty Veneziano of Wakefield; dear nephew of Joan Sarcia, Howard Arsenault, Armand and Doreen Arsenault, Mark and Karen Arsenault and Marie Gardin; cherished uncle of Brianna and Ryan Zeck and their children, Kallie Mae, and Caeden, Kelsey and Alec Manly and their children, Wyatt and Olivia, Courtney Phillips and her children, Aubrey and Abigail, Caitlyn and Brandon Guillemette and their children, Krystina, Korie and Brandon, Jr., Ryann Phillips, Baylee and Emilee Gellar, Christina Swallow, Ricky and Ashley Swallow, Ariana Veneziano, Tamarijn Ziedins, and the late Michael Swallow.
He is lovingly survived by his dear cousins, Cindy and Robert Donarumo and their daughters, Sara and Haylee Donarumo. Ron and Glenda Mabrey and John Mabrey. He is also survived by many additional cousins, numerous extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, September 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea, at 12 noon. Funeral services will conclude with committal services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make donations in John’s name to a charity of their choice.
To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Maria Escobar
April 9, 1946 – September 3, 2022
At 76 years of age, Maria C. Escobar passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Sept 3.
Born and raised in Nahuatan, Guatemala, she was one of eleven children born to the late Andres Escobar and Maria Luisa Barrios. Raising nine children of her own, she settled in the United States many years ago.
Maria loved gardening and farming. She was a seasonal employee at a family farm in Dresden, Maine for many years where she worked as a farm hand supervisor. She spent the rest of the year between residing in Chelsea and Saugus and would also visit her native Guatemala.
In her lifetime, Maria enjoyed quiet time at the beach and seashore. She is fondly remembered as a devoted church member and for her home gardening, and cooking. Tamales were her specialty and family and friends would always enjoy partaking in this traditional treat.
She is survived by her loving children: Jendry Morales and his wife, Amy Pai of Chelsea/Saugus, Carlota Morales of Tijuana, Mexico, Minor Morales of Dallas, TX, Edgar Morales and his wife, Anna of Waltham, Corina, Morales, Marvin Morales, Jilberto Morales, Judith Morales, and Pablo Morales, all of Guatemala. She is also lovingly survived by 10 grandchildren, one great-grandson and many dear siblings.
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday, September 10. Maria will be placed to rest in Cementerio Municipal, Aldea, Al Amparo, San Marcos, Guatemala.
To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.