Phyllis Elaine (Whitehill) Burroughs
Phyllis Elaine (Whitehill) Burroughs, 95, of Derby, died on December 24, 2016 in Newport, after a long and happy life and a short illness.
She was born on August 11, 1921 in Orleans, to Lucien Joel and Grace Alfreda (Brown) Whitehill.
She attended school in Morgan schools, graduated from Derby Academy in 1939 and Lyndon Normal School in 1942. She taught school in Irasburg, Holland, and Barre, and was a substitute teacher for many years. She was a Derby resident for most of her life and was dedicated to the community. She served as a trustee at the Dailey Memorial Library for over 50 years, where she was also librarian for several years. She was an active member of the former Newport Women’s Club, Home Dem, and the Retired Teachers Association.
Family was the center of her universe and her smile was always brightest when she was around them. She provided a wonderful home for her children and she was proud of the adults they grew into. She enjoyed getting together with her siblings to share good times and fond memories. She enjoyed cooking, making crafts, gardening, painting, crosswords, and reading. She embraced technology and stayed in touch with her family and friends through social media. She was actively engaged in politics and liked to keep up with current events. She was a whiz at playing word games with her family and friends, and her competitive streak would show.
On April 17, 1946, she married Rudolph Julian Burroughs in Derby Line. Mr. Burroughs predeceased her in 1998. She is survived by her children: Shirley Martineau of Colchester, Nancy Boucher and her husband, Irving, of Essex, Janet Fortin and her husband, Conrad, of Derby, Cathy Day and her husband, Terrance, of Waterville, Martha Friend and her husband, Robert, of Bristol, and Stephen Burroughs of Clayton, North Carolina. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and their families; 21 great-grandchildren; and by her siblings: David Whitehill, Kenneth Whitehill, Anita Plummer, Norma Lemeiux, Barbara Whitehill; and by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Carly Whitehill; brothers-in-law Conrad Lemeiux and Reginald Plummer; a son-in-law, Leo Martineau; and her nephew, Michael Plummer.
A private interment will be held in the spring. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Dailey Memorial Library, 101 Junior High Drive, Derby, Vermont 05829.
Gail Marie Thompson
Gail Marie Thompson, 61, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on January 15, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, surrounded by her family.
Ms. Thompson was born on January 24, 1955, in Newport. She grew up in Brownington Center, living with her grandmother Eliza Thompson and her mother Evelyn Thompson. She attended local schools where she met her lifelong friend Gail Aldrich McKenna. She graduated from Lake Region Union High School in Orleans. Along with her mother, Ms. Thompson moved to Massachusetts in the mid 1970s where she worked as a unit coordinator at Emerson Hospital, an EKG technician, ran her own business setting up health clinics in the Fitchburg area, and later took a position as an office manager in a cardiology office in Concord. For the last 25-plus years, she has been a practice manager for Barkin and Green Pulmonary Specialists. The last few years Ms. Thompson has split her time between living in Florida and Maine, working primarily from home. She was very involved with the Grange throughout her life. She was active in several churches beginning with the Brownington Center Methodist Church — teaching Sunday School, participating in Bible study and lifting her voice to the Lord in song. Ms. Thompson volunteered frequently throughout her life — most recently with children at an after-school childcare program at the Lake Alfred United Methodist Church in Florida. During the last few years, she has spent countless hours enjoying and caring for her young cousin Maleeya Towle.
Ms. Thompson was bright, funny, and caring. She loved reading, music (she had a beautiful singing voice), gardening and shopping. Family was very important to her. Uncles, aunts, and cousins took care of her and she in turn took care of them. Betty Robinson and family were very dear friends to Ms. Thompson and a big part of her life.
She was predeceased by her mother, Evelyn Thompson; her grandparents; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and by her cat, Kitcat. She is survived by many cousins and friends; and her beloved cat, Taz.
A graveside service will be held at the Brownington Center Cemetery at a date to be determined.
To share an online condolence, please visit www.advantageportland.com. Memorial donations in her name can be made to: Jones Memorial Library, 1 Water Street, Orleans, Vermont 05860, or House of Hope, Inc., 812 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, or at [email protected].
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