Brunswick-Phyllis Mae McCluskey, passed away in the presence of loved ones September 26, 2012 at the Horizons Living & Rehab Facility in Brunswick.

Phyllis was born on September 12, 1922 in Portland the daughter of Hans Z. Hanson and Anna Maria Cristina Peterson (Hanson)

She was a graduate of Deering High, class of 1940. Phyllis enjoyed softball and pitched briefly for an amateur team in the area named “The City of Portland”.

Phyllis enjoyed cooking, in particular, bread making and preparing meals. She had an authentic Danish pastry recipe that she made on occasion and was perhaps her most adored creation. She frequently made scotch cookies for family members for birthdays or simply on request. There was hardly a family event that wasn’t serviced by her bountiful kitchen labors and everyone looked forward to getting together for that express reason. Phyllis’s character was directly reflected in her baking. Both were simple and elegant and immensely satisfying. She was adored for her boundless love and heartwarming sincerity. Phyllis also enjoyed shopping, eating out and interacting with people in general. She was always delighted to make new acquaintances and immediately endeared herself to anyone fortunate enough to traverse in the circle of her large extended family. Phyllis was just as comfortable visiting her son Bob and his family in Seattle or her daughter Nancy and her family in South Carolina as she was receiving guests in the comfort of her own home. As they say, home is where the heart is and Phyllis always traveled with her heart wide open and accepting of others. Phyllis was also interested in the lives and welfare of many of her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and looked forward to any news from, by or about them. Her sense of humor was spontaneous and contagious and helped carry a lot of us through some challenging moments. Phyllis and her husband Mac both loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping with the children and grandchildren. Priceless evenings were spent in the cabins feasting on freshly caught trout and her homemade bread or biscuits. Phyllis also enjoyed feeding wild birds and she and Mac spent countless hours identifying them and keeping a calendar noting their arrivals and departures with the seasons. She had an uncanny knack for drawing in hummingbirds and would often have several of them perched in nearby trees waiting for their turn at her feeder. Phyllis was a housewife and homemaker most of her adult life. Raising seven children kept her busy in an era when there were few labor saving, affordable appliances. She dedicated herself to the comfort of others and did so with energy and purpose. She worked at L.L. Bean as a seasonal packer one year and loved the experience but otherwise stayed close to home and its manifold obligations. She was rarely at a loss for activity. She enjoyed having her grandchildren search for “Tickling Sticks” which she would then have them draw lightly across her arm for relaxation. This was her evening “cocktail” and often put her to sleep. Often, she radiated an aura of everything being right with the would that left us feeling tranquil and indulged. One never left her presence feeling unloved. Phyllis lived a rich and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by many people, both friends and family. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Ervin “Mac” McCluskeyJr., daughters Donna Curry and Janice McCluskey. She is survived by daughters Arlene Smith of Bowdoinham, Nancy Laliberty of Greer, South Carolina, sons Robert E. McCluskey and his wife Marne of Indio, California, Richard D. McCluskey and wife Donna of Richmond, Maine, John McCluskey of Winslow, Maine. Surviving also are many grandchildren, great grandchildren and even one great great grandchild.

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, October 2nd at 2pm at Kincer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: CHANS Home Health Care 60 Baribeau Dr. Brunswick, Me (207)729-6782.

Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home 130 Pleasant St. Richmond, Me 04357.