Phyllis Stimson

Phyllis Margaret McNeill Stimson passed away on February 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born February 27, 1922, in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Walter L McNeill and Alice M. (Mitchell) McNeill. She died just short of her 101 ^st birthday and lived a full and beautiful life.

After graduation from Arlington High School and Northeast Business College, her family moved to Portland, Maine, where she worked at the Bible Society of Maine and later Bicknell Photo Store where she met her future husband, George. They were married in April 1943 and shortly after,  George was drafted into the US Army Air Corps and served overseas for the next 3 years.  During that time, Phyllis worked for Prudential Insurance Headquarters in Boston.  When George returned in 1946 they moved to Battle Creek and bought a home on North 25 ^th Street where they raised their family.  In 1997 after George died, Phyllis continued to live in the family home for a total of 73 years and developed lifelong friendships with many families in the neighborhood before moving to NorthPointe Woods. She was the ultimate wife, mother, and homemaker, and as a friend had the rare gift of truly listening. She never judged others and looked for the bright side of any situation.  In her early years, she played tennis, enjoyed “playing at” bridge, wrote poetry, and read books with a passion. Throughout her life, she enjoyed attending the children’s school activities and sports events, and loved family holidays, weddings, graduations, birthday parties, and all other family events .  For 15 years, she wintered in Bradenton, Florida and lived the life of a “snow bird”.  She loved the social life and was always ready to go hear the latest band, go out to a restaurant, see a play, or go shopping.  She faithfully wrote in her daily journal and at the age of 90 wrote her memoirs “Life Stories” to share with her family and friends.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband of 54 years George Stimson and her brother Robert L McNeill.

Phyllis is survived by her  children:  Carol Laird and Richard (Linda) Stimson; Grandchildren Shannon (Tom) Mead, Tamara Laird, Brian Stimson, and Bradley (Marie) Stimson; Great- Grandchildren Amanda (Eric) Truman, Geoffrey Laird, Zachary Mead, Autumn Mead, Brandon Mead, Warren Stimson, Sadie Stimson, and Holley Stimson; and Great-Great Grandchildren Henry and Benjamin Truman, and Evelyn and Vivian Compton.  She is also survived by her beloved sister Janet McNeill  Hively (Thomas Lacy), and nieces and nephews.

A small family celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers Foundation