DENNYSVILLE – Mina Higgins Phinney, 103, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, in Machias, with her family by her side. Mina was born April 27, 1909, in Dennysville, daughter of the late John Ralph and Grace (Allan) Higgins.
After graduating from Dennysville High School she furthered her education at Colby College, graduating in 1930 with a degree in education. While at Colby College, Mina joined Phi Mu sorority, which she was active in until her death. Her first job out of college was teaching for Foxcroft Academy. She taught there for one year until an opening came available in her beloved town of Dennysville. Most of her career she taught English, Latin and French at Dennysville High School. On June 23, 1932, she married her love, Donald H. Phinney. During World War II, Mina served as a plane watcher in the local area. When the school closed, Mina taught languages for Washington Academy until 1971, at which time she became the school librarian until her retirement in 1977. She was a member of Dennysville Congregational Church, where she was the organist for many years. Mina was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution through her ancestor Col. John Allan, who served as the Native American liaison during the Revolutionary War. Mina was particularly proud to be the first recipient of the Dennysville/Edmunds Centurion Cane.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Donald Phinney; son, Franklin Phinney; siblings, Eleanor Berg, R. Forrest Higgins, Madelyn Stanley and Marjorie Holly; and nephew, Ralph Berg. Surviving are her nieces and nephews, Peter A. Higgins and wife, Bonnie, of Bangor, Robert F. Higgins Sr. and wife, Brenda, of Skowhegan, John Stanley and wife, Elaine, of Readfield, and Suzanne Thomas and companion, Dana Nowell, of Augusta; great-nephews, Forrest Higgins and wife, Sandra, of Orrington, Darren Higgins and wife, Karrie, of Naugatuck, Conn., and Robert Berg and wife, Heather, of Corinna; great-nephews and great-nieces who thought of Mina as their grandmother, Robert F. Higgins Jr. and wife, Melanie, of Millinocket, Tracy Higgins and companion, Marc Poulin, of Norridgewock, Tammy Higgins Dobler and husband, Lance, of Lamar, Mo., and Donald Higgins and wife, Kim, of Skowhegan; many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
A graveside service celebrating the life of Mina will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Dennysville Cemetery. Donations in Mina’s memory may be made to Dennys River Fire & Ambulance, 1935 U.S. Route One, Edmunds Township, ME 04628; or Dennysville/Edmunds Congregational Church, P.O. Box 65, Dennysville, ME 04628. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at
www.maysfuneralhome.com.
Mina H. Phinney
