Phyllis Wiklund Kirsch

Cherished Mom, Grammy & Great-Grammy

Phyllis Barbara Wiklund Kirsch, age 88, from Chelmsford and most recently a resident of Tewksbury, passed away on May 15, 2025, with family members by her side.  Born on September 30, 1936, to Carl J. and Gladys (Cluff) Wiklund, Phyllis grew up in Pelham, NH.  She graduated from Tenney High School in Methuen and went on to attend the Lowell General Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse employed at LGH following graduation.  It was there that she met her husband, Richard E. Kirsch, who was visiting his sister following the birth of his nephew. They were married on October 13,1957 and spent 65 memorable years together.

Phyllis was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Lowell and served as organist and choir director for 32 years.  She served on the Board of Deacons and was very involved with the monthly bean suppers, annual Christmas fairs and ladies knitting circle.  She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star.  Phyllis was active in her community as a member of the Chelmsford Garden Club joining in 1966.  She loved gardening and was the club’s official photographer for special events.   Phyllis also loved to sing and was a member of the Chelmsford Choral Society and Westford Chorus for many years.  She volunteered at All Saints Thrift Shop for many years and was a Brownie Girl Scout Leader.

Phyllis and Dick were members of the Alpine Squares Club in Chelmsford where they learned square and round dancing.  They traveled all over New England staying at various campgrounds and attended both local and national conventions meeting many interesting people and making lasting friendships in their travels.

Three years ago, Phyllis and Dick (who predeceased her in April 2023) became residents of Bayberry at Emerald Court assisted living community.  Phyllis made many wonderful friends while there and took advantage of the many activities offered.  In particular, she loved playing bingo, cardio drumming, painting, knitting, crafting and visiting the hairdresser.

Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Janet Paton and Linda Desrochers and her husband William, four grandchildren, Richard Paton and his wife Amanda, Phillip Desrochers and his wife Laura Kurdziel, Erika Webber and her husband Michael, and Leah Desrochers, and five great-grandchildren Landon Paton, Ava Webber, Natalie Kurdziel Desrochers, James Kurdziel Desrochers and Violet Webber.  Her fifth grandchild, Kevin Paton, Jr. predeceased her in 1985.

We wish to express our very special thanks to the staff at the Heart Failure Clinic at LGH, the staff at Bayberry at Emerald Court, and Tuft’s Medicine at Home hospice care team who took such wonderful care of her.

A private family service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church followed by a graveside service at Gibson Cemetery in Pelham, NH.  Donations may be made in her memory to Calvary Baptist Church, 60 Hastings St., Lowell, 01851; Methuen Memorial Music Hall http://https://mmmh.org/event-calendar, or Lowell Humane Society https://www.lowellhumanesociety.org/donate/

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