PHYLLIS ALMA FLETCHER
PALMYRA - Phyllis Alma Fletcher, 90, was called home to the Lord on June 12, 2011, at a Pittsfield hospital due to complications of pneumonia.

She was born Feb.10, 1921, during a home delivery in Bucksport, the daughter of Ora and Carolyn (Thomas) Heath. She attended Bucksport High School for two years and finished her last two years at Newport High School graduating in 1939.

She was married to Clarence (Joe) C. Fletcher in 1941 and they shared 55 loving years. In earlier days, Phyllis worked outside her home in a variety of places. She was employed at the Harts Seed Factory in Newport for three years, sorting dried beans for $11 a week. Following that, Phyllis worked at the Newport Canning Factory for three seasons doing belt work, brining room and labeling vegetable cans. She did secretarial work for a short time at the Pearley Cary Insurance Agency and also picked wool at Guilford Industries. Her greatest and most enjoyable achievement was that of being a devoted wife, mother and homemaker; so proud of her family. She loved being a farmer's wife and all that it included. She worked along side of her husband rototilling, planting, gardening, weeding, harvesting, harrowing, raking and haying. She was always ready and willing to help tend the cows, wash the milking dishes, assist with the silo filling and learned how to drive a car by first driving the farm tractor in the hay field. Phyllis enjoyed canning after the harvest, shopping trips to the coast for a lobster, Sunday drives and going to the movies. She was a member of the Newport Methodist Church. She belonged to the Palmyra Grange and was an assistant steward. She also was a member of the farmers' woman's group called Willing Workers. Phyllis volunteered at the school health clinics for several years helping with the record keeping. She also belonged to the PTA. For one year she was the tax collector for the town of Palmyra.

Phyllis in her loving and compassionate way was always taking care of someone. She and her husband Joe took Carrie Adams, a life-long neighbor, into their home for six years after caring for her at her homestead for many previous years. Phyllis cared for her own mother for many years, raised her two children and eventually her two grandchildren. She embraced her family with much love, giving of herself unselfishly, unceasingly, without complaint always with a smile and sense of humor.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Clarence; her three brothers and two sisters-in-law Walter Heath, Ken and Ella Heath, Paul and Ida Heath; and her son-in-law George Furlong III. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Ann Furlong, of Hartland, her son, Kenneth Fletcher, and wife Mary Ellen of Winslow, her grandchildren George Furlong IV and Heidi Withee; five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; cousins, nieces and nephews. Phyllis and family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the Randall family of Palmyra who have been family and such good friends and cared for her through the years with love and compassion.

Phyllis also deeply appreciated the wonderful caregivers formerly at Ross Manor in Bangor and most recently at Sanfield Rehab and Living Center in Hartland.

Visiting hours will be held at Brown Funeral Home 34 High St., Newport, on Wednesday June 15, at noon followed by the funeral at 1 p.m. Interment will be at the Palmyra Village Cemetery directly after the funeral. Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901.

To sign an online guest book and leave written condolences please visit: www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com