Phyllis M. (Barbato) Caristo, 99, of Woburn

Phyllis M (Barbato) Carista passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice House late Sunday evening, August 28th, after a brief illness. The devoted wife of the late Carl J. Carista, she was ninety-nine years of age.

Born in Boston, she was one of seven children born to Italian immigrants the late Luigi and Maria (Dell Isola) Barbato. Having moved from the North End of Boston to Medford at an early age, it was in Medford that she was raised and educated. Phyllis remained in Medford pretty much all her life.

It was there that she and Carl had their three daughters to whom they were devoted. Summers were always the time for vacation and Phyllis would love to go to anywhere so that they all could enjoy swimming. From the lake in Kingston to the shore of Plymouth and Pompanesette Beaches was where they would frequent. Long walks along the beach at sunrise or sunset, was always a welcomed and peaceful place to be.

As the children grew and they became parents themselves, “Nana” was right there to welcome them. She and Carl would also travel to wherever their children moved to the next city over or to Switzerland or England, the road was never too far. While in her eighties Phyllis had also visited Italy. During this trip she was able to locate and visit where her dear mother’s place of birth was and where she grew up.

For over forty years, every Sunday the family would all return to the homestead where a traditional Italian feast occurred, always covering the six courses, and giving the family time to chat and catch up. Along with the celebration of each and every holiday, Phyllis delightfully took care of every fine detail.

A very warm, kind and compassionate woman she was very strong in her faith. An active parishioner throughout the years she was quite active at St. Clements Parish in West Somerville for over sixty years. Later at St. Joseph’s Parish of Medford where she was a member of the Ladies Sodality. Having moved to Woburn eight years ago, she became a parishioner at St. Charles Church.

Phyllis above all else was the Matriarch of the family. Always reaching out, to help and care for all those whom she loved dearly all throughout her lifetime.

Sadly in addition to her parents Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Carl, siblings Gerry Barbato, ,Josephine Barbato and Anthony Pondrell and grandson Richard Hickman.

Phyllis was the treasured mother of Linda Crescenzi, her husband Adam of Concord, Mary Ann Hickman, her husband James of NC, and Nancy Drinan, her husband Kevin of Woburn. Beloved sister of Louise Frederico and Mary Pasqualetto both of CA. Cherished grandmother of Jean Crescenzi Patterson, her husband Randy of Cohasset, Gregory Crescenzi, his wife Kristen of Sudbury, Marianne Crescenzi Balfour of Concord, Stephen Hickman, his wife Carole of Singapore, Alex Drinan, his wife Christy of Woburn. Her much loved great-grandchildren Kaitlin and Caroline Patterson, J J, Ben and Jake Hickman, Colin and Cooper Balfour and Isabelle Crescenzi.

A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Wednesday, August 31st at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Family and friends are respectfully invited to call Tuesday, August 30th from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Phyllis' memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House,78 Liberty Street,Danvers, MA 01923.

Obituary and photo courtesy of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home