Phyllis M. Washburn

Phyllis M. (Mattson) Washburn, 90, of Marion died Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Vantage of New Bedford after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Ralph G. Washburn, with whom she shared 73 years of marriage.

Born in Gloucester, MA, daughter of the late Leonard and Catherine (Perry) Mattson, she was raised by aunt and uncles in Maine after the loss of her mother at age 10. She later relocated to Marion where she lived for most of her life.

She married Ralph G. Washburn on May 16, 1952. They had three children, Peter, Debbie, and Charlie.

After raising her children, Phyllis went back to school and obtained her Medical Assistant certification from Upper Cape Tech. She was then employed by Dr. Baxter in Marion for many years until her retirement.

Phyllis loved family vacations to Vermont, nature and gardening. She was also an avid writer and had some of her work published in writer's magazines.

She and Ralph adopted mute swans in Marion Harbor. They published a book called "Good Morning Sam" about their friendship and adventures with a handicapped swan that couldn't fly. Phyllis wrote the story and Ralph provided the photographs. They were known around Marion as the "Swan People" and often had many onlookers when they fed Sam and his friends at the Old Landing. They launched their son Peter's skiff and rowed it exactly one time to follow Sam. The next time the skiff had a brand-new Honda 5hp outboard! From there, they went to a 27' trawler named Cygnus Olor which is the Latin genus for mute swans, all so they could be closer to Sam and his friends.

She is survived by her three children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her sister, Diana V. Barrows of Mattapoisett.

Her Funeral Service will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Little Neck Cemetery, Marion. Visiting hours will be Saturday from 10-11 AM, prior to the service. A celebration of Phyllis' life will be held over the summer, with details to be annouced once finalized. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.