Katharine H Phillips

Monson/Canton-Katharine (Haley) Phillips, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on October 14, 2026, her 86th birthday. She was predeceased by Donald Phillips, her loving husband of 52 years, and her parents Frank B. and Kathleen (Corish) Haley.

Katharine grew up in Monson and was a life-long communicant of St. Patrick’s Church. She graduated from Monson High School, Class of 1958. She cherished her connections to her family in Monson and the surrounding area.

Katharine was proud of her accomplishments and skills in nursing. She received a diploma from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1961. Memorably, she trained under her aunt, Sister Mary Norberta, SP, with whom she shared a birthday and her name. Especially dear to her were the friendships with her nursing colleagues from Mercy Hospital. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston University in 1966. Early in her career, she returned to Mercy Hospital as an Instructor in the School of Nursing. Subsequently, she worked at Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. In the last fifteen years of her career, she devoted her energy and talents to Monson students as their school nurse.

Katharine was an enthusiastic and talented artist, an interest she shared with her mother, sister, and other family members. She created art in many forms including painting, silk painting, cross-stitching, and sewing. In her retirement, she pursued classes at the Springfield Art Museums.

Katharine thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren in Monson and at Cape Cod. She particularly liked sharing a 4 PM Saturday afternoon Manhattan cocktail and cheese and cracker plate.

Katharine leaves her children: Christine Phillips; Dan Phillips and his wife Andrea Kunder; Kate Laliberte and her husband Matt; and grandchildren Lizzie, Patrick, and Helen Phillips.

She also leaves her brother David Haley and his wife Judy; sister Ann Mulligan; sisters-in-law Elizabeth, Mary, and Maureen Phillips; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Katharine was predeceased by brothers-in-law Jim Mulligan and Jack, Bob, and Bill Phillips.

The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the staff of Cornerstone at Canton and Nicole’s Angels Aides for their tremendous care of Katharine in the last five years.

Lombard Funeral Home of Monson has been entrusted with the arrangements. Public visitation will be held at the funeral home Friday, October 30, 2026 from 4-6pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 10am in St. Patrick’s Church 22 Green, with burial to follow at Bethany Cemetery all in Monson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Patrick’s Church Restoration Fund PO Box 473 Monson, MA 01057 or the Alzheimer’s Association at Alzheimer's Association .