HANCOCK – Elizabeth Phippen died Dec. 1, 2008, in Hancock. She was born Sept. 21, 1915, in Hancock, the daughter of Walter Perkins and Etta (Jellison) Clarke, into a farm family of 11 brothers and sisters including, one set of triplets, and one set of twins. She attended Mount Desert Ferry School, Hancock Grammar School and one year at the old Hancock High School, after which she transferred to Sullivan High School, where she was a classmate of the late Mary Johnson Forni, who became a lifelong friend. Except for one summer when she worked for a Sorrento family, most of her life was spent living and working in her hometown; but twice during the Depression years, she worked at jobs out-of-state in New York and Philadelphia. She began work on Hancock Point at age 11 and continued working for several point families until her retirement as housekeeper of Bellview for the Bell family in 1986. In 1933 she married Francis Eugene Phippen of Hancock, who predeceased her in 1970. Always active in town organizations, she was a member of Hancock Woman’s Club, Hancock Union Congregational Church, Pilgrim Guild, Willing Workers Sewing Club and Hancock Historical Society. Throughout the 1950s, she was a Girl Scout Leader for dozens of Hancock girls. In 2003 she was honored by Hancock Woman’s Club. She loved reading, doing crossword puzzles and watching TV game shows. She not only took a keen interest in her two sons’ school activities, but the birthday and anniversary celebrations for everyone in her circle of family, friends and neighbors. In addition to her expertise in all the housekeeping arts of sewing, cooking, cleaning and laundering, she made wonderful dolls, teddy bears and quilts that were sold throughout the country and to several foreign countries. Her family nickname of “Sid” was used by her author son, Sanford, in his books and plays. She appeared in the film, A Century Of Summers. Elizabeth is survived by her sons, Robert (Phippen) Clark and his partner, Carol Mangels, and Sanford Phippen; five grandchildren, Gary Spaulding, Sandra Lee Clark, Robbie Clark Jr., Julie Clark and Michael Clark; great-grandchildren, Jason Ball, Crystal Spaulding, Robbie Clark III, Amanda Clark, Jeremy Clark, T.J. Wheeler and Courtney Wheeler; great-great-granddaughters, Nicole Ball, Brittany Moulton and Jocelyn Elizabeth, one cousin, Muriel Clark; sister-in-law, Lucille Clarke; brother-in-law, Clayton Pomroy; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by all her siblings; and two great lifelong friends, Margaret Colwell and Arlene Dickson. Calling hours will be held noon-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, where a funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Hancock. Contributions in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to Hancock Union Congregational Church UCC, P.O. Box 98, Hancock, ME 04640. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
ELIZABETH PHIPPEN
