Phyllis “the angel” Keirstead, of Brunswick, passed peacefully in the arms of her four daughters March 20.
She was born March 1, 1932 in Presque Isle, a daughter of Wallace Ingley and Lillian Ella Dow Higgins. She was a graduate of Mapleton HS and received her nursing degree from New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Mass. in 1953. She married Leighton Russell Keirstead in Mapleton on Oct. 17, 1953.
Although a registered nurse by profession, she was a caregiver by nature. The Keirsteads moved back to Maine from Brevard, N.C. in 2006. Here, she continued to care for and nurse her husband’s health, tirelessly and devotedly. Her family knows she continues to look over him and will be warming the bench for the love of her life.
She is predeceased by a son, Ronald Keirstead in 1981; and grandson, Jonathan Tetreault in 2008.
She is survived by her husband, Leighton; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Donna Carr of Windsor Locks, Conn., LuAnn and Stanley Rogala of Walpole, Rhonda and Mike Tetreault of Southwick, Mass., and Karla and Jeff Larsen of Southwick, Mass.; brother, Malcolm Higgins of Candia, N.H.; two sisters, Esther Ward of Wilmington, Del., and Jennie Jamieson of Butler, Penn.; six grandsons, Keith and Peter Carr, Tim Stiles, Chris and Mikey Tetreault, Korey Larsen; and eight great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to visit 9-10:30 a.m., Sat., March 28 at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. Funeral service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the First Parish Church, Maine St., Brunswick, with her brother-in-law, the Reverend Dr. William Jamieson officiating.
For those unable to attend, condolences may be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 310 Cony Rd., Augusta, ME 04330.
