Phyllis A. Billings, 87, a long-time resident of Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, formerly of Newcastle, passed away in the early evening of June 21. Born at the old Clark homestead on Pond Road in Newcastle on Feb. 6, 1924, she was the eldest daughter of Chester M. and Gladys E. (Hopkins) Clark.
Phyllis grew up in Newcastle and attended local schools. Upon graduating from Lincoln Academy in 1941, she attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. After college, she went to work as a rubber laboratory technician for United Aircraft Corporation in Hartford, Conn. On Oct. 15, 1950 she married Winslow H. Billings from Deer Isle.
Phyllis was a dedicated community service volunteer. She was a member of the Nobleboro Grange, receiving the Golden Sheaf Certificate in 2003 for 50 years of service. She was an active member of the Newcastle-Damariscotta Junior Women’s Club, holding every office during her years of service. In addition, she was a member of the Newcastle Extension. Phyllis also held an avid interest in the Newcastle Historical Society, contributing many materials on her father’s business, the Clarks Bottling Company. She was a descendent of one of the founding families of Newcastle, appearing on that float in Newcastle’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2003.
She was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Winslow Billings in 2001; son, Roland Billings in 2005; as well as her sister, Janet C. Loveys in 2005.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Billings and husband Timothy Coppolo of Amherst, Mass. and Lucille Lothrop of Newcastle; son, Stanley Billings of Newcastle; daughter-in-law, Susan (Madden) Billings of Nobleboro; grandchildren, Christopher Hanley of Peterborough, N.H., Nicholas Hanley and wife Laura (Krystek) of Bremerton, Wash., Stephanie Hanley of Amherst, Mass., Fred Lothrop Jr. of Wiscasset, Lorna Lothrop of Waldoboro and Nancy Billings of Nobleboro; as well as great-grandchildren, Austin Hanley of Milton, Vt., Trevor Hanley of Peterborough, N.H., Theodore Hanley of Amherst, Mass. and Roenne Hanley of Antrim, N.H.
Time of visitation 4-6 p.m., Thurs., June 30 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Funeral will be held at the funeral home 11 a.m., Fri., July 1. She will be laid to rest with her husband in the Hopkins Cemetery on Hopkins Hill Road in Newcastle at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newcastle Historical Society, PO Box 482, Newcastle, ME 04553 or to the Newcastle Fire Department, 86 River Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by contacting the funeral home or visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
