Remembering the Life and Legacy of Norwood’s Beloved Librarian
Miss Edna Phillips, 78, of 5 Walters Road, librarian emeritus of the Morrill Memorial Library, died Saturday night at Maple Grove Manor. She had been seriously ill for about six months.
Miss Phillips retired in 1962 after 23 years of service at Norwood Library, but continued to maintain an active interest in it. Only 10 days before her death, she visited the library. Born in Newark, N.J., Miss Phillips attended several art schools after graduating from high school. She became a librarian apprentice in Madison, N.J., and without ever graduating from college passed a New Jersey state civil service examination for which only library school graduates were supposed to be eligible.
At the beginning of World War I, she was librarian at the Edgewater, N.J., public library. Leaving that post, she went overseas to become the only Norwood woman serving with the 12th Ambulance Co. of Bay City, Mich., on the French front. At the end of the war she returned to library work. From 1923 to 1932 she was supervisor of work with racial groups in the Massachusetts Department of Public Libraries.
Miss Phillips came to Norwood in 1939 to become librarian in Gloucester. Here she organized a branch library in South Norwood and one at Norwood hospital.
Edna Phillips Obituary & Career Highlights
Professional Service
- Role: Librarian Emeritus of Morrill Memorial Library
- Tenure: 23 years of service in Norwood, retiring in 1962
- Key Contributions: Organized South Norwood branch library and Norwood Hospital branch
Wartime & State Work
- World War I: Served overseas with the 12th Ambulance Co. of Bay City on the French front
- State Department: Supervisor of work with racial groups in the Massachusetts Department of Public Libraries (1923-1932)
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More In Memoriam Stories
-
Miss Betty Eicke, 95, Former Norwood Hospital Superintendent and Nursing Leader-September 11, 1968
Memorial services are set for Betty Eicke, 95, former superintendent and director of nurses at Norwood Hospital who dedicated decades to nursing and hospital administration.
-
In Memoriam-Florence Guild-March 20, 1967
13 Oct 1872 – 19 Mar 1967 Florence M. Guild, 94, the last surviving member of a noted Norwood family, died Sunday at the Norwood Nursing Home. Born in Norwood in 1872, she had been employed at the Plimpton Press and the Norwood Bindery until her retirement 19 years ago. Guild Sq. and Guild st.…
-
Obituary: Francis C. Foley, Former Norwood Town Counsel and Moderator-September 2, 1965
Francis C. Foley, 58, a prominent legal and civic figure in Norwood residing at 16 Shattuck Park Road, passed away yesterday at Norwood Hospital following a long illness. Distinguished Civic and Legal Career Mr. Foley dedicated decades of public service to the Town of Norwood, notably serving concurrently as town counsel and town moderator for…
-
George Willett, 91, Helped Develop Town of Norwood-April 14, 1962
NORWOOD, Apr. 13 — George F. Willett, 91, one of the most distinguished citizens of Norwood for more than half a century, died today. A native of Walpole, Mr. Willett moved to Norwood in 1893 and provided not only the financial backing but the direction in re-shaping the community. A member of The Country Club,…
-
Jack P. Welch, Local Newsman, Dies Suddenly-July 28, 1955
John P. (Jack) Welch, owner of Welch’s Newsstand in Norwood for over 40 years, passed away at Barnstable Hospital at age 80.
-
In Memoriam-Louis F. Parker
LOUIS F. PARKER The townspeople were saddened on the afternoon of March 10, 1953 when they learned of the sudden death of Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker. He died in the performance of his duties. Louis F. Parker was born in Norwood October 16, 1895, appointed to the Fire Department May 16, 1926 and promoted…
-
Last Tribute Paid To R. Russell Williamson-This Day in Norwood History-June 5, 1950
June 5, 1950- Last Tribute Paid To R. Russell Williamson Prominent Citizen, Banker, Businessman And Churchman, Dies Here At Age of 71
-
Herbert M. Plimpton, Founder of The Plimpton Press, Dies at 89-This Day In Norwood History-April 30, 1948
The passing of Herbert Moseley Plimpton marked the close of one of Norwood’s most distinguished industrial chapters. Founder of The Plimpton Press and Holliston Mills, Plimpton’s life embodied the ideals of craftsmanship, civic generosity, and faith that shaped Norwood’s rise as a center of printing and enterprise. Born in Walpole on May 13, 1853, Plimpton…
-
In Memoriam-Charles “Nubby” Donnell-April 1, 1947
April 1, 1947-Charles Donnell Succumbs At 61 Whole Town Mourns Death Of Popular Police Officer Charles R. “Nubby’ Donnell passed away Tuesday after noon at the Norwood Hospital The bitter news, anxiously dreaded since last Friday morning when he was stricken with a serious illness, passed around town with the speed of a Presidential death…
-
In Memoriam-Jane Atherton Hewitt
Miss Jane A. Hewett died on February 28, 1947. Miss Hewett was born in Canton, from whence she came to be the Librarian of the Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood, on the day the present building was opened in 1898. She filled this position until her retirement in 1939; and following that, she was Librarian Emérita…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.