Phyllis D. Howard, 99, of Windham, NH passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, NH.  She was the oldest daughter of James Terret and Isabella Dear (Bushnell)Terret who immigrated from Brechin, Scotland in 1922.

Phyllis was born in Lawrence, MA on June 7, 1925 and grew up in North Andover where she graduated from Johnson High School as valedictorian in 1942.  She married her beloved Philip, the "boy around the corner," in 1943.  After raising their 3 sons in West Haven, CT, Attleboro, MA and Derry, NH, she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services at New Hampshire College (now SNHU) and worked there for many years as a librarian. She authored many autobiographical essays published in the New Hampshire College Journal;  in 2002, at the request of the college president, she wrote a book entitled "Becoming a University, the Story of New Hampshire College, 1932-2002. ".  Phyllis was always involved in the community, serving on the Derry Library Board of Trustees.  She was twice honored by Derry as a Living Treasure.

Throughout her life, Phyllis was an avid reader, skillful dancer, and music lover.  Travels to Scotland and England to visit family and friends brought her joy and connection with her Scottish heritage which was very important to her.  She would often speak Scottish sayings with a broad brogue and burr to demonstrate how her older family members had sounded. She enjoyed trips to Ireland, Europe and with Elderhostel, United States destinations.  Her camp at Cobbetts Pond in Windham, built in the early '40's by her father, was her special place for her entire life.  It brought her endless joy as she welcomed friends and family, read, played Scrabble and swam in the pond.  At 97 years old she was still swimming in Cobbetts Pond.

In her later years Phyllis made many friends at Birch Heights in Derry and at Warde Senior Living in Windham.  We thank the nurses and entire staff at Warde for their loving and compassionate care.

Phyllis loved, and was loved by, her family and friends. She always encouraged and attended her sons' and grandchildren's activities including their sporting events, concerts, shows, and graduations.  Her marriage to Philip Howard filled her heart with joy.  She was pre-deceased by Philip in 1988 and by her brother James Arthur Terret in 2018.  Phyllis will be deeply missed by her children: David Howard and wife Judith of  Derry, NH; Jeffrey Howard and wife Patricia Quigley of Concord, NH; James Howard and wife Diane of Windham, NH; her sister Marjorie Garber of Vestal, NY; her grandchildren: Heather Schofield, Kevin Schofield, Andrea Hatch, Colin Schofield and Steven Howard; her great-grandchildren: Mya, Devin, Cooper, Alden, Kiran, Connor and Piper; and by several nieces and nephews.  She will be greatly missed, but she lives on in the hearts of those who were a part of her life.

Visiting hours will be held at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main Street, Salem, NH on Wednesday, April 16th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Phyllis' name may be made to Warde Senior Living, 21 Searles Rd., Windham, NH 03087; the Alzheimer's Association; or a charity of your choice. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com.