POLAND – Phyllis Arleen (Egan) Newcomb, 87, died Aug. 1, 2007. She was the only child of Elinora (Goodwin) and Frank Egan. She was born Dec. 13, 1919, in Phoebus, Virginia where her father was stationed nearby in the Navy. For most her life she resided in Portland. She was a successful saleslady, setting up food product display booths at New England trade shows. Even in late years, her male cousins lovingly teased her by calling her “Miss Junket.” After her marriage to Kenneth Newcomb, Oct. 27, 1971, they moved from Salem Street, Portland to Poland. “Babe” and Ken partnered in life and in business as buyers and sellers of antiques. While Ken dealt in marine and medical memorabilia, Phyllis collected china and dolls. They had several sales shops in South Portland and Windham. Phyllis loved flowers and her husband made her many gardens. She enjoyed decorating her home inside and out for each holiday with special care given to searching yard sales to find appropriate costumes for the dolls and bears. She cared for many real dogs and cats in her life and treated them as family. She dressed fancy but loved simple things like a red rose tea, a Sunday ride, yard and garage sales, new nail polish, a colorful scarf, postcards, visits from her S.E.A.R.C.H. volunteers, Lawrence Welk reruns, Danielle Steele books and tapioca pudding. She was a churchgoer and a longtime member of South Portland’s Methodist Church, Minot United Methodist Church and most recently Poland Community Church, United Church of Christ. She made lasting relationships with every pastor and each of her church families. She leaves a stepson, Merlin Newcomb and his wife, Nancy, of Westfield, of whom she was very proud; her cousins, Patricia Clark Brown of Portland, Merton Clark and David and his wife, Emma, of Kennebunk, who kept in close contact all her life. She had help from special friends, Mary and Sarah Fernald, Althea and Shirl Willey, Jesse and Chris Childs, Bob and Marlene Cummings, Debbie Lamb, the John Pongers, Don and Susie Stover and the John Laskeys, for which she was so grateful. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband and his family; and cousins, Fred and Isobel. The family and friends express appreciation for the care given to her by Dr. Tom Bosma, Karen, his registered nurse and the staffs of Central Maine Medical Center and Clover Health Care. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 26 West Dwinal St., Mechanic Falls, with a time of visitation 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Interment will be at Hope Cemetery, Kennebunk. Those wishing to give a memorial gift may give to Poland Rescue, care of Town of Poland, 1231 Maine St., Poland, ME 04274, Poland Community Church Capital Campaign, care of Dixie Piper, 1212 Maine St., Poland, ME 04274 the S.P.C.A., Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240 or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com
PHYLLIS A. NEWCOMB
