LEVANT – Phyllis Pauline Leavitt-Knowles, 75, died Oct. 3, 2011, surrounded by her family at her home after a short battle with cancer. The daughter of John H. Kief Sr. and Mary Jeannette (Poulin) Kief, she was born Sept. 13, 1936, in Eden, now called Salisbury Cove, in the farmhouse that her great-grandfather built in 1864.
She was an at-home mom, who at age 70 became certified as a direct support professional for her handicapped son. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards and watching her great-grandchildren grow.
She is survived by her partner of 21 years and newly wedded husband, Merton Knowles; her son, Herbert “Butch” Leavitt Jr. of Levant; her four daughters and their spouses, Deborah and Henry Roach of Bangor, Patricia and Mike Emery of Glenburn, Jean Leavitt and Steve Burke of Hermon and Joan Leavitt of Levant; and her grandchildren, Sgt. Christopher Ryan Leavitt of Fort Riley, Kan., Alyson Tarr and her husband, Brett, of Hermon, Brent Hayden and Jade of Bangor, Erick and Amanda Emery of Hermon and Kristi Emery and Kris of Kenduskeag. Mom was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Cassidy, Antoine and Brody and soon-to-be great-grandson, who is due in January. She is also survived by her five stepchildren; and her brother, John Kief Jr. She was predeceased by her daughter, Diana; her parents; her brothers, Kenneth and William; and her sister, Marilyn. She is remembered by her many special and devoted friends.
Friends and family may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Hermon Baptist Church, 2496 Route 2, Hermon, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, with the Rev. Garnett Chute officiating. At her request, interment will be held at a later date. Those wishing to remember Phyllis in a special way may make donations to her son Herbert Leavitt Jr., care of Patricia Emery, 442 Hudson Road, Glenburn, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.