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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GERAGHTY, Phjyllis M. (née HARRIGAN) - 97, of Newport, VT joined her husband Edward in Heaven on February 9, 2021. She passed peacefully into her eternal life on a sunny winter afternoon, at home with family.
Phyllis was born in Saint John, NB Canada, the daughter of Anna and Michael Harrigan. One of six children, some of her favorite memories were of days spent with family at their summer home overlooking the lighthouse and beach in Morrisdale, NB.
After graduating from high school, Phyllis received her diploma as a Registered Nurse from St. Mary's Hospital at McGill University in Montreal. She later returned to McGill University's School for Graduate Nurses for advanced training in surgical nursing and teaching and supervision. Phyllis served her country as a Nursing Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she met her future husband, Surgeon Lieutenant Edward T. Geraghty, M.D. who was the Chief Medical Officer on board the HMCS Haida.
Phyllis and Edward were married in Saint John in 1958 and moved to Vermont in 1961 when Edward was recruited to be the region's first radiologist at Orleans County Memorial Hospital. Edward expanded the department and was designing the radiology wing of the new North Country Hospital in Newport before his death in 1969 following a brief illness.
Phyllis dedicated herself to raising their four young children, taking great joy in supporting their talents and creating opportunities for their education and growth. After the children had grown, Phyllis returned to nursing, caring for patients and their families until her retirement in 2009.
In her younger years Phyllis enjoyed extensive travel through Europe. She excelled in equestrianism and in her later years she took up cross-country skiing and snowshoeing which she enjoyed well into her nineties. She was skilled in the textile arts, notably weaving and needlepoint. As a juried member of Vermont Hand Crafters, her specialty items of handwoven colonial coverlets were custom-made and sold across Canada and the United States.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Phyllis was predeceased by two of her brothers and their wives, Judge Andrew G. Harrigan, Q.C. (Elizabeth) and Paul Harrigan (Mary), her sister and her sister's husband, Gladys Lacroix (Donald), her brother-in-law Vincent B. Winchester, her son-in-law Glenn B. Bailey II, D.O., and her nephew Edward V. Winchester.
Phyllis is survived by her children Sheila (Rick) Imes, Karen Geraghty, Sean (Patricia) Geraghty, and Mark (Lisa) Geraghty and their daughter Alison, Phyllis' treasured Granddaughter. Phyllis is also survived by her sister Marjorie Winchester, her brother Bruce Harrigan and his wife Mary, and by her extended family of loving nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In the words of the poet, "there are those whose names may never be known to the world, but whose lives are masterpieces to those who knew them well." Phyllis' life was a masterpiece of love and loyalty, of strength and courage, of dedication and creativity. She will be remembered for her enduring love of family, her strength of character and deep commitment to care for the sick and vulnerable, and her artistic spirit and talents for creating beautiful things for people to enjoy. The family is planning a private celebration of Phyllis's life in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Edward. Phyllis believed that you should "find happiness in every day and have a little fun along the way." In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you remember Phyllis with joy by doing exactly that. (Newport Daily Express 06 May 2021)
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