Phyllis L. White of Needham passed on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at age 91. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Jessie (Greenberg) Pributsky as well as by her brother Gerald Pributsky and her sister Minnie Cohen. For 56 years, Phyllis was the beloved wife of Sumner M. White, of blessed memory. Phyllis is survived by her cherished daughters Elise White of Amherst and Cheryl White (David Wohlgemuth) of Jamaica Plain. She is also survived by her sister Gladys Koss, her sister-in-law Barbara Pributsky, and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was born and raised in Fall River. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and subsequently worked as a social worker. While raising her children, Phyllis earned a Master’s in Education from Framingham State College and went on to teach at Williams and Angier elementary schools in Newton for 23 years. A gifted and dedicated teacher, she was much loved by students, parents, and colleagues. Many of her former students sent her letters and invitations to milestone events long after they left her classroom.
Phyllis was a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham for more than 50 years. She found deep pleasure in painting and sculpting and was an inveterate doodler, a joyful traveler, a talented baker, and a skilled player of bridge and Scrabble. Phyllis loved the Boston Ballet, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her loyalty to her friends, and her infinite curiosity about the world.
A private funeral was held on Friday, February 28. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis’s memory may be made to Temple Beth Shalom in Needham (www.tbsneedham.org) or to Boston Symphony Orchestra (www.bso.org).
