Phyllis Bertoncini

With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of my mother, Phyllis (Sagan) Bertoncini. She left this world on April 20th, 2026 and left a void that can never be filled. Her passing has left us with a deep sense of loss and sadness.

Phyllis was born on January 22, 1936 in Fall River to Stephen and Mary Sagan and has lived in Fall River her entire life.

Phyllis worked for many years at Frito-Lay in Fall River, working there until the plant closed. Afterwards, she became a paraprofessional for the Fall River School Dept. at the Wixon School, where she also had attended as a student. She enjoyed working with the first-grade and Kindergarten teachers and students. She had many good memories and funny stories about her time there.

After retiring from the school department, she worked for Citizens for Citizens Foster Grandparent Program, working in her daughter's kindergarten classroom at the Greene Elementary School.

In remembering Phyllis, I think about her insistence on everyone being on time each night for dinner at 5:00 p.m., and “don't be late", and learning many of Nona's recipes that her husband enjoyed. She took great pride in making a huge Sunday dinner each week, always with cherry Jello for dessert, with lots of whipped cream.

As was her wish, she passed quietly at home with her family. She was the wife of the late Angelo A. Bertoncini and was pre-deceased in death by her sons, Stephen and Michael Bertoncini, and her mother and father.

She is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Bertoncini) Guimond and her husband Rene of Swansea, her sister Natalie Szufnarowski of Lowell, her brother Walter Sagan and his wife Charlotte of Dunedin, Florida, her granddaughter Amanda Bertoncini and her husband Zachary of Fall River, her grandson Michael Bertoncini of Mendon MA, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Phyllis enjoy cooking for her family and especially making her husband's favorite Italian dishes and her golumpki, which were the best ever! She loved going to Twin River Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun with her sister Natalie to play the slots, dancing, and going out with the “Golden Girls” and causing a scene on the dance floor with all eyes on her, doing puzzles, Sudoku, and Word Finds.

She enjoyed the annual family vacation to Myrtle Beach and spending time in Florida during the cold winter months with her daughter and friend.

She was one of a kind, with a quick wit, feisty and funny and always said exactly what was on her mind.

Phyllis's Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on May 9th, 2026 at Good Shepherd Church, 1598 South Main Street, Fall River. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the Alzheimer's Association.