FRANCES PHYLLIS HAWKINS KEARNEY

WINSLOW – Frances Phyllis Hawkins Kearney, 84, passed away in her sleep at her home on Saturday afternoon, April 17, 2004. She was born June 2, 1919, in Middle Simonds, New Brunswick, the daughter of Rev. John C.C. and Bessie (Hillman) Hawkins. Phyllis, as most knew her, graduated from Washington Academy, East Machias, and then from Farmington State Normal School, Farmington, in 1939. She received her bachelor’s of science in education and a master’s of science in education from Boston University and the certificate of advanced study from the University of Maine, Orono. She had the honor of being listed in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges and was a member of Pi Lambda Theta, the honorary society in education at Boston University. Her teaching experience began at the Bernard Elementary School, Bernard. Then she returned to Farmington, where she was a first grade critic teacher at the Farmington State Normal School Training School for five years. She conducted the demonstration School at FSNS Summer School two summers, taught at the University of Maine Post Session, Orono campus, three summers, was the primary supervisor (K-3) in Haverhill, Mass., for two years, and the elementary supervisor (K-8) in Bath, before coming to Waterville, where she was principal of Myrtle Street School from 1948-1969, principal of Brook Street School from 1967-1969, and principal of Brookside Elementary School from 1969, until her retirement in July, 1975. During her teaching career, she was a member of the Maine Teachers Association, the Kennebec County Teachers Association, serving as vice president and president, the Waterville Teachers Association, serving on numerous committees as well as being secretary and president, the Myrtle Street Parent Teacher Association, the North Grammar Parent Teacher Association, the Brookside Parent Teacher Association, the Kennebec County Elementary Principals Association, the Maine Elementary Principals Association serving as recording secretary, the National Elementary Principals Association, the Teacher Education and Professional Standards Committee for several years and chairperson, a delegate to the NEA Conference on Professional Standards, a delegate to the NEA Convention, a life member of the National Education Association and State of Maine Health Committee, department of Education for several years. Since 1975, she was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Retired Teachers Association, the Maine Retired Teachers Association, the Kennebec Retired Teachers Association and the Maine Association of Retirees. Phyllis was a member of the Waterville Osteopathic Auxiliary for many years, a former active member of Martha Washington Chapter Order of Eastern Star, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Maine State Chiropractors Association, serving as secretary and president for two terms, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to the National Chiropractors Association, a worker in Ward 3 Republican committee for several years, a former member of the Waterville Branch of the American Association of University Women, and the Waterville Business and Professional Women. From 1960-1963, she was a commission member of the Advisory Committee to the State Board of Education for the Approval and Accreditation of Maine Elementary schools. She was a member of the building committee for the “new” elementary school in Waterville, her Brookside. She was a member of Waterville’s Bicentennial Commission and served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for several years. She was an active member of the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, was post president, secretary and treasurer of the Merriweds, past chairperson of the Commission on Missions, for several years a Sunday school teacher in the intermediate and junior departments, former choir member, chairperson of Social Concerns, former member of the Music committee, Pastor-Parish Relations committee, Nominating committee, Finance committee, the membership chairperson of United Methodist Women, was on the Administrative Board for several years and a member of the Barbara Beecher Circle of the United Methodist Women. Phyllis married Dr. Ernest W. Kearney on Aug. 24, 1947, in Howland, with the ceremony being conducted by her father, Rev. John C.C. Hawkins. Her beloved husband, Ernie, passed away on Aug. 23, 1986. Since his death, she had continued to spend winter months in Zephyrhills, Fla., where she regularly attended the First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Chancel Choir, United Methodist Women, Hope Circle and was active at the new Trinity United Methodist Church in Wesley Chapel, Fla. She was a member of Betmar Chorus, Hospitality Club and was as active as she could be in other Betmar Acres organizations as well. Phyllis loved gardening, cooking, singing, bird watching, spending time with her family and friends, and above all else helping other people. She was warm, friendly, and of a kind manner that allowed her to put her care for others at the top of every to-do list (of which she always had many). These qualities helped her gain respect from everyone she came in contact with, while simultaneously putting a smile on their faces and a warmth in their hearts at the same. She also loved her Red Sox. She was a proud and loving mother and grandmother, an interested and loyal friend and the most inherently kind soul that, anyone who had the privilege, will ever meet. The earth has lost an angel and heaven has gained our dear Phyllis. She will be greatly missed. Survivors include her daughter, Diane and son-in-law, Bruce Engler, of Skowhegan; a stepdaughter, Sharon and her husband, Jim Kunkle, of Rochester, N.H.; a sister-in-law, Katherine K. Wallace of Woodstock, New Brunswick; two grandsons, Dylan and Gavin Engler of Skowhegan; a step-granddaughter, Kathy and her husband, Rick Dunton, of Rochester, N.H.; three step-great-grandsons, Ricky, Morgan and Samuel Dunton; and several cousins. Friends my call from 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 23, at the Redington Funeral Home, 5 Park St., Waterville. A memorial service and celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, Waterville, with burial following in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Belgrade. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, Learning Center at George Mitchell School in Waterville or Betmar Chorus, care of Mary Margaret Trice, 36609 Dina Drive, Zephyrhills, FL, 33542.