Obituary of Phyllis (Guarino) Rantz

Phyllis (Guarino) Rantz of Peabody died on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 with her loving daughter by her side. She was the wife of the late Joseph Allan Rantz, who was the love of her life. Born in East Boston, she was daughter of the late Giuseppe Guarino and Mary (Mastropietro) Guarino, and she grew up in East Boston and Everett. After marriage she moved to Revere, and finally settled in Peabody. As a child, Phyllis always knew that teaching was her passion. She graduated from Salem Teacher's College and later received her Master's Degree from Salem State College. She started her career in Everett, and then taught at the Yeshiva Hebrew School in Chelsea for two years. After moving to Peabody, she secured a position with the Peabody School Department and taught grades one through six, and subsequently became a handwriting teacher, vice-principal, director of art, and an elementary principal. After she retired, she continued working for several more years as Title One Director, and in addition wrote several other grants for the school department. Over the years she received many awards and accolades for her outstanding teaching style, the latest of which was the George Peabody Legacy Award in May 2015, which she was most honored to receive. She always felt that her students were part of her extended family, and her students always knew she was there for them, in and out of school. Phyllis enjoyed many interests outside of education. Unknown to many, she also graduated from Mrs. Prichett's Cake Decorating School and was a "master cake decorator" when her husband owned his bakery. Her many other hobbies included playing the piano; studying astrology; cooking for family and friends; doing calligraphy; traveling to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Foxwoods; and watercolor painting. Her latest endeavor was writing and publishing a children's book: "Time, the Trailblazer: A Giant Leap Back Into the Past." She is survived by her daughter, Marianne Rantz of Peabody; her daughter's partner, James Mellor of the United Kingdom; a brother-in-law, Patrick Grande, of Medford; a very special niece, Patrice Grande of Rockport; two special friends, Ania and Gosia Kubel of Peabody; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her only sister, Madeline Grande. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. A celebration of her life will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, followed by interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Lake Street, Peabody. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her name to St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N Main Street, Chamberlain SD 57325. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.