Phyllis (Evans) Sweeney passed away peacefully and surrounded with love on Thursday, August 26th, 2021 at the age of 81. Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Robert Marcus Lyons and the late Vera (Roberts) Evans-Lyons.

Phyllis was the widow of James J. Sweeney, with whom she was married for 47 years. Phyllis and Jim met in New Orleans, Louisiana and together they traveled the world with the US State Department. They lived, worked and raised their daughters in Virginia, Morocco, Belgium, and finally Westport, Massachusetts where they built their beautiful retirement home on the Westport River. Phyllis and Jim handpicked each of the bricks and stones used in the build. For 34 years they entertained friends and family often, were wonderful hosts, and wonderful parents.           Phyllis graduated from Biloxi High School, The Touro School of Nursing in New Orleans, and excelled in her nursing career. Phyllis was Emergency Room Head Nurse at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans and later at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River during her long career. Always a caring person, Phyllis dedicated her retirement to Habitat For Cats, a nonprofit, all volunteer organization. She was an original founder of the organization and an active member for 30 years. Phyllis loved playing Dominoes and laughing with ‘the ladies’ weekly, gardening, poetry, helping others and visiting her TBB friends back in the south. She was dearly loved by her daughters, her local community, and life-long friends and family from all across the country.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters Lesley Lyons Sweeney (Claudio) and Allyson Sweeney Ade (Dylan); four grandsons, Calvin James De Noia, Jack Sweeney De Noia, Sean Sweeney Ade, and Mathew Powers Ade.

The family is grateful for the loving support from dear friends and family. We would also like to thank the caring staff at Clifton Rehabilitative Nursing Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Phyllis’s name to Habitat For Cats, P.O. Box 79571, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Private arrangements are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Rd., Westport, MA 02790.To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.