CHELMSFORD - Madeline T. (McPhillips) Zaher, 90, a longtime resident of Chelmsford died Thursday, August 25th at Town and Country Nursing Home following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Lewis Zaher who also died on August 25, in 2007.
She was born Lowell on March 13, 1921, and was a daughter of the late James and Annie (Robinson) McPhillips.
She received her education in Lowell schools. Madeline served her country in the WAVES division of the United States Navy during World War II. Throughout her life she had been employed by Bon Marche in Lowell and Palm Manor Nursing Home in Chelmsford, but her most important job was taking care of her family and home. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Madeline was a parishioner of St. Mary Parish in Chelmsford. She is survived by two sons, Brian Zaher and his wife Linda, and David Zaher and his wife Karen, all of Chelmsford; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Zaher of Tucson, AZ; nine grandchildren, Brian Zaher and Kimberly Zaher, both of TX, Christian Bly of NJ, Travis Bly, Brian Horan and his wife Krissy, Michael Horan, Shannon Zaher, and Christopher Zaher, all of Chelmsford, and Melissa Stevenson and her husband Will of Dunstable; twelve great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Mederick Zaher and his wife Joan and Charles Zaher and his wife Claudia, all of Chelmsford; two sisters-in-law, Kay McPhillips and Agnes McPhillips, both of Lowell; and many nieces and nephews. She was also the mother of the late Robert Zaher and Carol Ann Bly, and the sister of the late James, Francis, and Joseph McPhillips, and Helen Gormly.
Visitation will be held at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street, CHELMSFORD on Monday from 4 until 8pm. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9 o'clock at St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the VNA Hospice of Greater Lowell, 336 Central St., Lowell, MA 01852.