SKOWHEGAN – Phyllis Anita (Boynton) Chamberlain, 94, passed away at her home surrounded by family in Skowhegan on April 19, 2024, after a battle with pancreatic cancer and aortic stenosis. Phyllis was at peace through her faith in Jesus Christ and thankful for a long life filled with many blessings.

She was born on August 27, 1929, daughter of Henry and Alta (Ellis) Boynton. She attended schools in Skowhegan and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1947. She continued to be in touch with some of her classmates until her death.

Phyllis married Clayton “Jack” Chamberlain Nov. 30, 1947, and was married 55 years until his passing in 2003. Phyllis worked as a telephone operator as well as on the farm they purchased from her grandfather on the East River Road for 16 years. Phyllis also worked as a nanny for Dr. Loring Pratt of Fairfield, until she went to Skowhegan Business School and started working at the new Federal Trust Bank in Skowhegan in 1961.

Her son John was born in 1949 and daughter Leona was born in 1950. During that time, she and Jack provided care for Phyllis’ grandparents, and later, Jack’s parents. She was a devoted caregiver who managed children, household, farm chores, and caregiving for her elders all in stride. She later cared for Jack after his stroke in 1985. He lived another 19 years, and she continued to care for him and work at the bank until her retirement in 1991 as an operations officer with Bank of America.

Phyllis and Jack were able to take vacations and enjoyed many trips to Michigan to see John and his wife Janet, traveling with them to the West Coast. After Jack passed away, she and Lee took several trips to Canada, Wyoming, Florida, Oregon, and Michigan. Phyllis enjoyed entertaining and stayed connected with all her nieces and nephews through two generations.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Jack; siblings Mary Russell, Robert Boynton, and R. True Boynton; as well as grandson Christopher Matthew Chamberlain.

Phyllis is survived by her son John Chamberlain and wife Janet, daughter Leona “Lee” Sinclair; grandchildren Aaron Chamberlain, Jenny Bellows and husband Nick, Jan Wilkinson and husband Will, Jared Sinclair and girlfriend Lindsay Webber; great-grandchildren Joshua Chamberlain, Christopher Chamberlain, and Andrew Jarvais; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Virginia Hyatt of Vermont; cousin Chick Hunter of New Jersey; as well as special classmates Bill Cockburn, Abby Provencher, Babe Lowit, Pat Miller, and Gaylean McGruder.

The family would like to give special thanks to Norma “Punky” Boynton, Vickie Boynton, Janet Duggan, and Jan Wilkinson for helping with the personal care for Phyllis, as well as Wendy Dicranian, FNP, and Maine General Hospice.

Her motto: “Leave no tender word unsaid, love while life shall last; the mill will never grind again with water that has passed.”

There will be a memorial service on May 3, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave. in Skowhegan. A reception will be held at Phyllis’ home at 1020 East River Road, Skowhegan from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phyllis’ ashes will be placed with Jack’s on May 6, 2024, at 9 a.m., at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd. in Augusta. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Please visit Phyllis’ memorial page at https://smartandedwardsfh.com/obituaries/phyllis-chamberlain where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

If you would like to do something in memory of Phyllis, plant a seed, a bulb, or a tree and sow seeds of kindness and forgiveness when you do

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