Palma H. Philips

Waltham - Mrs. Palma H. (DeNorscia) Philips, of Waltham, died Saturday, July 2, 2011 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She was 87.

Palma was born on February 21, 1924 in Madison, Maine a daughter of the late Massimo and Mary DeNorscia. Her family then moved to Massachusetts settling in Weston for over 12 years before moving to Waltham where she had been a resident for over 75 years.

She worked for many years as a seamstress at The Boston Maid Company. She later worked for over 15 years as a cashier at the former Helen’s Restaurant in Waltham.

Palma’s talents were with the needle and thread. She loved to sew and was talented in both knitting and crochet. She made countless numbers of afghans for family, friends, doctors and nurses as gifts of gratitude. Her fingers worked beautiful magic as she created these lasting gifts to those who were recipients. For many years she would gather weekly with friends in a sewing group which provided her with an outlet to spend time with others.

She is predeceased by her husband, Albert J. Philips who died January 10, 2000 and her siblings, Ralph DeNorscia and Beatrice Lembo.

She leaves her daughter, Pamela S. Tavilla and her husband, Anthony, of Concord; siblings, Anthony DeNorscia of Framingham and Robert Chiarelli of Thousand Oaks, California and Jean Fontecchio of Newton; two granddaughters, Vanessa J. Tavilla of Brighton and Andrea P. Seaman and her husband, Matthew, of Middleboro and also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Palma’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rte. 20) Waltham, on Tuesday, July 5th, from 4-8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street,Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery,Waltham.

Memorials in her name may be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, 01701 or the Amyloidosis Foundation, Inc.,7151 N. Main St. Suite 2, Clarkston, MI 48346.