Mary B. Philbin

Mary (Burke) Philbin, of Longmeadow, MA, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2019 surrounded by her six devoted children. Born in 1929 in Clinton, Massachusetts, to Irish immigrants Mary (Hastings) Burke and Thomas Burke, Mary did not have an auspicious beginning in this world. Her father died shortly before her birth, and her brother and only sibling had passed before that. It was her and her mother to make their way. Through grit, persistence and faith she helped her mother establish herself and build her own home. She was afforded the opportunity of attending college where she chose the profession of teaching elementary education. Prior to her marriage she taught for three years in the Clinton school system. In 1954 Mary married Paul Philbin, beginning a partnership that would last 60 years. With six children soon to follow, Mary’s work became providing a happy loving household not only for her own family, but for the many classmates and neighborhood children who spent time at the Philbin house. Mary’s quiet and dignified manner hid an inner strength and faith that served as a model of the behavior that each generation wants to pass on to the next. Mary is survived by her children, Mary of Agawam, MA; Jean and her husband Moshe of Newton, MA; Ellen and her husband Con of Boston, MA; Joseph and his wife Diane of Green Bay, WI; Anne and her husband Stephen of Andover, MA and Paul and his wife Laurie of Longmeadow, MA; and her grandchildren Matthew and his wife Sandy, John, Kevin, Timothy and Colleen Philbin; Gabrielle and Micaela Cohen; Ryan, Shaun, Brendan and Patrick Philbin. Mary was predeceased by her husband Paul E. and two grandchildren, Katherine M. And Michael T. Philbin. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, (April 4, 2019) at 11:00 am in St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow where Mary practiced her faith for over 53 years. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be private. Calling hours will take place on Wednesday (April 3, 2019) from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Parish, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.