Angela Marie Philactos, 71, of West Newton, MA passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Waltham’s Meadow Green Nursing Home, where she had been lovingly cared for since 2019.
Born on July 9, 1950, Angela was the eldest daughter of Genevieve (née Scaperotta) and George Philactos.
Growing up in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, Angela and her three siblings experienced a unique variety of activities, including enjoying the colorful neighborhood culture, taking dance and art classes, and performing as part of the Amato Opera Company’s junior chorus. Angela even took lessons at the flagship Wurlitzer Store on 42nd Street after her father purchased an organ for their home. Though she harbored a girlhood preference for the piano.
Throughout her high school years, Angela was a Girl Scout and was very active in the NY Chapter. Owing to her commitment to service, the Philactos family was chosen to be “The Scout Family of the Year” in 1965. For her part, Angela received a special accommodation for her contribution to Senior Scouts, as well as a Tiffany bracelet from Mr. & Mrs. Irving Berlin, who were Girl and Boy Scout advocates and benefactors.
After graduating from Dominican Academy High School on the Upper East Side in 1968, Angela attended Stony Brook University on Long Island where she met her lifelong friend, Evelyn. They had many adventures together, including taking a bus to the iconic Woodstock Music Festival in August of 1969.
After college, Angela pursued a career in elementary school education, first as a student teacher in the South Bronx, and then as full-time faculty at the Marshall School in Boston’s Public School District in Dorchester. She continued to serve as a teacher and then a teacher’s coach in Math and Reading for over 40 years, only being interrupted by the mandated “big” Boston teacher layoff in 1981 at which time she enrolled in a technical writing program at Middlesex College and was hired by Digital to write user manuals for their computers. Upon her reinstatement, Angela returned to her studies and received a certificate from the Harvard Extension Graduate Program in 1987. Her commitment to her students stayed steady even after retiring in 2009 when she continued to tutor and offer help to those who were prepping for the Boston Latin School entrance exam. In addition to teaching, Angela was active in her community and circle of friends, and enjoyed many hours together with “the knitting club.”
In a life full of service and dedication, there was nothing Angela held in higher importance than the family she built with her husband of 36 years, Devell L. Mitchell, and their only son Avery D. Mitchell, both of whom predeceased her. Devell and Avery were the loves of her life.
Angela is survived by her siblings, Gregory Philactos of NYC, Judy Philactos of Wash DC, and George Philactos of NYC, as well as her extended family, goddaughter, beloved friends, colleagues, and students. She will be forever missed.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to gather and remember the love Angela shared during Visiting hours on Tuesday, June 21st from 10 am - 11 am. Followed by a Celebration of Angela’s life in The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels, located 773 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. Parking Attendants will be on duty.
Immediately following services, the family and whomever wishes to join them will travel to Massachusetts Veterans National Cemetery, Bourne MA for burial at 1:30pm where Angela will join her husband Devell who was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
For those who wish to pay their final respects, but are unable to attend, please be sure to sign the guestbook at www.BrascoFuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers please contribute to Good Shepherd Community Care Hospice
(gscommunitycare.org) or The Wendt Center for Loss & Healing (wendtcenter.org )
“Brasco Memorial Chapels”
“Creating Meaningful Memories”