MARS HILL and ST. PETERS-BURG, Fla. – Phyllis M. Nightingale-Wilson, 92, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, while at the home of her son, Ronald and his wife, Nancy, in Vero Beach, Fla. Phyllis was born Dec. 26, 1916, in Bridgewater, the daughter of John H. Hallett and Emma P. (DeLong) Hallett. Phyllis was a member of and drew great comfort from her church family of United Baptist Church, Mars Hill, as well as Starkey Road Baptist Church, Seminole, Fla. Phyllis grew up in her beloved Mars Hill, where she attended Aroostook Central Institute – ACI. She married Harold S. “Hallie” Nightingale in 1939 and began her life as a potato farmer’s wife and partner. Phyllis loved laughter, often causing it herself with her endless wit. She enjoyed being at the center of the activities of family and friend gatherings. She never met a stranger and always saw to the comfort of others, putting them before herself many, many times. She also greatly enjoyed travel and hunting trips with husband, Hallie; and friends. Phyllis and Hallie farmed in Mars Hill for many years before moving to Concord, N.H., where they specialized in raising potatoes for the potato chip market. They quit farming in 1954 and returned to Mars Hill. In June 1957, Phyllis and Hallie retired to St. Petersburg, Fla. Phyllis attended beauty school, graduating at the top of her class. She then opened and ran a beauty salon in St. Petersburg, Fla., for 23 years. A widow for several years, Phyllis married Wallie Wilson of Mars Hill and began a dual residency between St. Petersburg, Fla., and Mars Hill. She once again enjoyed beloved Mars Hill with her family, friends; and extended family, the Wilsons and the Adams, attending family gatherings, church and all of the social occasions the small town community had to offer, which she truly treasured. Due to Wally’s passing and her consequent illness, it became necessary for her to return to Florida in 2004, where she spent the remainder of her years in St. Petersburg, Fla., and then finally in Vero Beach, Fla., with her son, Ronald and family. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, eight brothers, three sisters; and husbands, Harold S. Nightingale and Wallie Wilson. Surviving Phyllis are her sons, H. Ronald Nightingale and his wife, Nancy, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Jay E. Nightingale and his wife, Elizabeth, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren, R. Scott Nightingale, Cynthia R. (Nightingale) Waring and Jason T. Nightingale; her great-grandchildren, Justin Hummell, Danielle (Waring) Albright, Tristen and Connor Nightingale; one brother, Herman Hallett and his wife, Beverly, of Hermon; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Preparations for memorial services are incomplete at this time. Donations in her memory may be made to VNA and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32690.
PHYLLIS M. NIGHTINGALE-WILSON
