Phyllis M. (Byette) Russell passed away at the Woburn Nursing Center in Woburn on Christmas Day, She was 95 years of age. Phyllis was born in Boston to the late Alphonse J. & Flora (West) Byette, she was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1937. A lifelong resident of Melrose, Mrs. Russell was a homemaker who had also worked as a cashier at Cerretani Supermarket for 22 years. She was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, a longtime member of St. Mary's Church & St. Mary's Ladies Sodality. Phyllis loved to read, sew, bake, cook and enjoyed going to all her families little league games. Mrs. Russell enjoyed traveling to Europe and Nova Scotia and at the age of 88 she did the Easter Walk around the lake in Wakefield. She was the wife of the Late Henry F. Russell. Beloved mother of Mary F. Desouza and her husband Louis of Rowley, and Paul Russell & his wife Jane of Melrose. Caring sister of the Late John F. Byette. Grandmother of Nicole Amaro, Holly DeSouza, Stacey Wright, Marylou DeSouza, Anthony DeSouza and P.J. Russell. Also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Monday, December 29th at 11AM, followed by a Mass of Christian at St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 12 Noon. Visiting hours Sunday from 4:00-8:00PM. Burial at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice..