Phyllis Dian (Shea) Ihle obituary – 1949-2022
Phyllis Shea Ihle passed from this world on Sunday, 01 May 2022, in her home on the Mariaville Road in Ellsworth, Maine, where she had resided for the past 39 years. She was born Phyllis Dian Shea to Arno B. Shea and Gladys (Garland) Shea on 24 January 1949, in Ellsworth. She grew up on Mill Street in Ellsworth Falls (now the Shore Road).
Growing up she enjoyed taking care of her horse, Blyth Spirit, and riding dressage at various events. She attended schools in Ellsworth, graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1967. Following high school, she attended Husson College for a year, which was followed by work at the telephone office, Alice's Fashion and time working with the Ellsworth city clerk.
In 1971, she met her future husband, Denny Ihle, who was stationed at the Navy base at Winter Harbor. They were inseparable until they were married in Ellsworth on 15 July 1972. Their first daughter, Dawn, was born in 1973 in Bar Harbor and their second daughter, Jill, was born in 1976 in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, while they were stationed at NSGA Sabana Seca, PR.
In 1978, the family returned to Ellsworth and lived with Phyllis's parents, where she had grown up, until they built their log cabin on the Mariaville Road in 1983. During that time, Denny left for a one-year unaccompanied tour in Diego Garcia. Phyllis started working at the Craft Barn in Ellsworth, where she continued to work until the early '90s when she went to work for Harris G. Strong as his assistant artist, reproducing his artwork.
In 1998, her first granddaughter, Elizabeth, was born and Phyllis immediately quit her job and became Elizabeth's full-time babysitter; 2001 saw her second granddaughter, Isabelle, born and now she had two to babysit; 2002 saw her third granddaughter, Alexis, born, as well as her first battle with cancer. Early detection and treatment saw Phyllis win this battle with cancer. In 2010, her grandson, Scott, was born. As with all the other grandchildren, she was again the primary babysitter.
In 2012, she fought her next battle with cancer. Again with early detection, surgery and treatments, she was able to win the second battle with cancer. When Scott started preschool, Phyllis started volunteering at Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School (EEMS) in the library. In 2016, Phyllis decided to start substitute teaching and loved it immediately. She especially enjoyed working in the "Sun Room" with students with special needs. COVID cut back much of her subbing and this school year she was sick most of the school year and could not teach.
Around 1998, Phyllis started cleaning part time at the Sunset Lodge and the associated 10 individually owned cabins. She quickly made friends with all of the owners as they came up each summer to enjoy Maine. Phyllis and Denny spent many evenings during the summer playing cards, enjoying suppers, and watching their families grow. Around 2004, Phyllis and Denny started making trips in the winter to Florida to spend time with George and Ann Mongon and Kathy and Rick Murdoch. This became an annual trip, which usually lasted four to five weeks each year. This was always special time with special friends.
She loved her whole family, especially the grandkids, and always wanted the best for them. Family dinners at the house were always special and everyone who knew Phyllis realized how special Christmas was to her. She made wool socks every year for all of the grandkids, plus some of their special friends.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Denny Ihle, daughters Dawn Ihle Hudson and husband, Rob, and Jill Dian Buchanan and husband, Dave; sister Cindy Thibodeau and husband, Galen; grandchildren Elizabeth Perry, Isabelle Perry, Alexis Carter and Scott Boutaugh; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Thanks to Cancer Care of Maine and Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital for their care for the first half of April, and special thanks to Kindred Hospice, which helped the family with the last couple of weeks to keep her without pain. Special thanks to Geneva, Cindy, Chris, Andrew and especially Debbie from Kindred. You were the best. Special friends Lucy Hodgkins and Beverly Long were very helpful to the family. Thanks to all for the flowers and food.
A private, immediate family-only graveside service will be held with a celebration of life planned to take place at the Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 04 June 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Phyllis Ihle Memorial Fund, C/O Ellsworth School Department, 66 Main St., Ste. 201, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Funds will be used for the library and the "Sun Room."