PHYLLIS (GARDNER) BURDIN
GUILFORD, Phyllis (Gardner) Burdin, 82, died January 14, 2005 after a brief illness. The loving wife of Elden “Dan” R. Burdin for 46 years and an inspiring mother of six sons and 12 grandchildren. Born June 26, 1922, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles and Maud (Schultz) Gardner, Phyllis grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts and later lived in Winthrop, Maine and Newport, New Hampshire before moving to Guilford in 1954. Family and friends who enjoyed her wit and wisdom, her constant caring for others and her devotion to her faith will miss her. For Phyllis, her family and friends were top priority. Phyllis enjoyed the beauty, sport and camaraderie of regular rounds of golf each summer and worked out daily, year round, at the local gym with her husband, Dan. She and Dan were also active members of the local bridge club. Phyllis has always been a voracious reader and a daily crossword puzzle solver. She often shared words of wisdom with those around her and kept a favorite saying on a wall at home: “Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can’t handle.” She has been a longtime member of the Guilford United Methodist Church where she had served as finance officer and recently was secretary of the Board of Trustees. For many years she was active in the Abaris Club (formerly Zephyrus); she has been a trustee of the Guilford Library and a member of the board of Piscataquis Country Club. Besides rearing six boys, Phyllis managed the Gold Nugget Restaurant in Guilford for several years during the 1950’s and worked 20 years in the office of Dr. Harry Lightbody. Phyllis was very proud of all her children and grandchildren, and loved having them visit with her in her home. She was predeceased by her first husband Lawrence E. Thompson.

Survivors include her six sons and their wives: John (Jay) and Celestine Thompson of Syracuse, New York; Peter and Mary Thompson of Readfield; William and Sheila Thompson of Guilford; Philip and Janet Thompson of Gorham; Mark and Ada Thompson of Miami, Florida, and Douglas and Bobbi-Jo Burdin of Gardiner. Grandchildren include George Thompson of Seattle, Washington; John (Jay) Thompson of Old Orchard Beach; Julie Thompson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Heidi Thompson of Abbot; Dr. Elisa Thompson of Sangerville; Derek and Ryan Thompson of Columbia, Maryland; Daniel and Michael Burdin of Gardiner, Adam Thompson of Readfield and great-granddaughters Valen Richard of Livermore Falls and Angela Kelley-Thompson of Columbia, Maryland.

A funeral service is planned for 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at the Guilford United Methodist Church, with Rev. Daniel Bollen officiating. Spring burial will be in the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be considered for the Guilford Memorial Library, P.O. Box 177, Guilford, ME 04443. Arrangements by Crosby and Neal Funeral Home, Guilford.

Graveside committal services for Phyllis (Gardner) Burdin, 82, who died January 14, 2005, will be held 9:30 AM, Friday, May 20, 2005, at the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford, with the Rev. Dan Bollen officiating. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, Guilford.