Phyllis Trafton Obituary (1923

A truly sweet soul departed us on June 5, 2014. Phyllis Drake Trafton, 90, died from complications of brain cancer. Her spirit will continue to live on with everyone who knew her and loved her. The most important thing in her life was her family, who loved her immensely. She was born on September 17, 1923 in Gardiner, Maine, to Archie and Lena Drake. She was one of three siblings, which included her brother Robert Getchell Drake and sister Caroline Drake Toothaker. She graduated from Gardiner High School in June 1942 and attended Nasson College in Springvale, Maine, where she studied to be a dietician. She then enrolled in Business College. She graduated in 1972 from the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham where she received her B.S. degree in elementary education. Teaching young students became Phyllis’ passion. She taught third and fourth grades at Central Street School in Gardiner. She continued to teach third grade at Central Street School and Laura E. Richards School in Gardiner for 29 Years. Phyllis married Lorimer Trafton in Gardiner on July 9, 1947 and they were married for 67 years. They lived in West Gardiner for 12 years with their two sons, Lorimer (Skip) Trafton and Gary Trafton. They later moved to Central Street in Gardiner where they raised their sons and enjoyed many happy years. She was a Cub Scout leader when her boys were young as well as a communicant of the Christ Episcopal Church, a member of the church choir, and a Sunday school teacher. Phyllis enjoyed gardening and her yard was always filled with beautiful flower and vegetable gardens where she spent many happy hours. She was a longtime member of the Augusta Garden Club, and the Wiscasset Garden Club. The Current Event Club in Gardiner was another group she enjoyed meeting with as well as the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She also belonged to the Retired Teachers’ Association in Augusta. Later on, Phyllis became interested in politics and attended many meetings of the Republican Party in Gardiner. Another favorite family pastime was downhill and cross-country skiing. Other close family friends often joined them and they always had a wonderful time. Phyllis enjoyed scrapbooking, taking long walks, and she was an avid reader. Keeping in good shape was important and she became a regular at Curves in Gardiner where she loyally exercised 1,097 times. Every fall she along with her family and friends Er v and Maxine Nason, looked forward to her son Gary’s soccer games. She always was a very inspired cheerleader. Another annual event Phyllis enjoyed coordinating was her High School Class Reunion get-together which was held at Le Garage in Wiscasset. A very special part of her life was the annual vacation with her family to Pemaquid. Many happy summers were spent enjoying the beautiful sunsets at happy hour, lobster dinners and fresh donuts in the morning from Reilly’s. Every summer she would be joined there by her sister, Kay and her brother- in-law Carl Toothaker. While on vacation there Phyllis would take long, relaxing walks on the big beach, visit her favorite antiques shops, go shopping in downtown Damariscotta, and go out to lunch with her granddaughters Dana, Ali, and Emilee. A very special part of her life was spending time and creating wonderful memories with her dearest friends, Maxine and Erv Nason, Eleanor Thornton, Lois Thomas, Miriam Malcolm and Lorraine Hopkins. She also enjoyed being with her niece, Anita Wyman, and her husband Ted, her former daughter-in-law Diane Hebold and her husband Walter, and sister-in-law Germaine Drake. Special “road trips” with her daughter-in-law, Faye, were always full of laughter, gossip, and fun. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Robert and Caroline. She is survived by her husband, Doc Trafton, her children, Skip Trafton and his wife Sherry, Gary Trafton and his wife Faye, and grandchildren Dana, Ali, Joseph, and Emilee. At her request, there will be no visiting hours. A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 12th at 1pm at the Christ Episcopal Church in Gardiner. Burial will follow in the family lot in Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Children’s Library in Gardiner which gave Phyllis immense joy. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner Funeral Service 06/12/2014 00:00 Highland Cemetery Rt. 126 Jefferson Maine 4348