DEER ISLE – Callie Thurlow Parker, 86, died as she lived, peacefully and with grace and dignity, Dec. 14, 2007, while surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and large circle of friends. Her body succumbed after a brief, but vigorous battle with cancer, but those who know and love her marveled at her undiminished spirit. Callie was born Sept. 24, 1921, in Stonington, the daughter of Albert and Mildred (Stinson) Thurlow. During the years when her contemporaries attended college, Callie cared for her mother, who also died from cancer. A dedicated scholar of life and always a great lover of reading and writing, she often laughingly referred to her beloved books as her friends. She believed strongly in the value of education and enjoyed her schooling, graduating with honors from Stonington High School in 1940. She was involved in many extra- curricular activities, including working on The Breeze editorial board, acting in school plays and marching as drum major of the school band. A natural polemicist, she was pleased with her first prize win in the Junior oratorical society competition. Callie was a devoted homemaker and mother of eight, referring to her children as the loves of her life. In addition to being a benevolent and compassionate matriarch, she was also the family teacher, happily sharing her breadth of knowledge on topics such as Northeastern flora and fauna, island history and genealogy, and cooking. Active in St. Mary’s Church, Callie taught Sunday school, served as Eucharistic minister, lector and secretary on the parish council, and was a member of the church sodality. She held many jobs, including postal clerk, restaurant hostess, waitress and personal cook to summer residents. In recent years, she enjoyed membership in the Red Hat Society. Callie was an energetic volunteer throughout her life. She was honored to have served as secretary on the Island Medical Center Board and she felt privileged to be on the Community School District Board during the years of planning and construction of the island high school. She also volunteered as a greeter at the Chamber of Commerce booth, Little Deer Isle, and she did sewing for the residents of Island Nursing Home. She work-ed as a hospice volunteer and spoke of her enjoyment of the laughter she shared with her hospice clients. Recalling her experiences as a volunteer, she said, “It’s kind of special to be able to laugh in the face of death.” Always ready to help anyone facing difficulties, she became a spokesperson for the disabled, elderly and low income. This readiness to help led her to speak in Washington, D.C., before a group of senators and brought her on several occasions to Augusta to advocate for the elderly and low income. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Sher-man Parker; and four infant children. Callie is survived by four children and their spouses, Vicki T. Landry and her husband, Paul, Barbara McGuffie and her husband, Kendall, Ernest J. Parker and his wife, Missey and Elizabeth Sturdee and her husband, Kenneth; as well as her brother, Edwin Thurlow; 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, three great- great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. Many thanks to hospice, which provided her with professional and compassionate care during her illness. A memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church with the Rev. James Plourde officiating. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Union Trust Co., P.O. Box 479, Ellsworth, ME 04605 for a scholarship to be given annually in Callie’s name to a deserving island senior.
CALLIE THURLOW PARKER
