BOOTHBAY HARBOR - June Ann (Dorey) Phillips, 76, died Jan. 5, 2015 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport from complications of the flu.

June lived the last 10 years of her life in Boothbay Harbor. She was extremely active in civic affairs, even after she was confined to a wheelchair. In Maine, she served on the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board, the Maine Farm Bureau, the Board of the Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation, as coordinator for FISH, was active in the Maine Democratic party, and promoted the Maine Clean Elections Campaign.

She was adamant that seniors should be able to age gracefully in their homes. So, she was a tireless advocate for herself and for other seniors. She reached out to knit together a safety net of healthcare and household services for herself and as a way to prototype the design of a senior safety net for others living in the Boothbay Region.

A member of Maine TimeBank, she volunteered her time to make phone calls and coordinate services in exchange for services she received from volunteers, from the District Nurse, the Community Paramedics, and FISH volunteers.

June became chairperson of the Wellness Foundation’s Awesome Seniors Committee, participated in the Lincoln County Thriving in Place initiative sponsored by MEHAF, and joined the Rotary Club’s Elder Forum committee. After losing power and heat in two snowstorms this season, June organized the Disaster Preparedness Day for Seniors on Dec. 5, 2014.

June was the daughter of Averil F. Swimm of Cape Sable Island, and George W. Dorey of Cape Breton Island, both of Nova Scotia, Canada. For most of her life, June lived with her family in Braintree, Massachusetts and summered in Nova Scotia, Canada, her parents’ home.

Educated in community planning and environmental law, she earned her degree in environmental management after her children were raised. During her life in Braintree, June was elected and served as the Norfolk County (Massachusetts) Conservation Supervisor for 25 years. She served on the Town of Braintree Forest Committee for 10 years, including leading that committee as chairperson. She was a member of the Braintree Conservation Commission for three years and the Commission Chairperson for two years. She served on the Braintree Flood Plain Zone Committee. And, she sat for a number of years on the Massachusetts State Commission of Soil & Water.

In terms of her civic involvement in Massachusetts, June was elected and served as Town Meeting Member for the Braintree (Massachusetts) Precinct 12 for 30 years. June served on the Braintree 409 State Planning Town Committee (under Mike Dukakis). She was an active member of the Braintree League of Women Voters. She served as her Town Democratic Committee member, and as a Delegate to the State Convention for many years.

June owned and operated the St. Moritz Equestrian Stable in Quincy, Massachusetts. She trained future horsemanship leaders and helped disabled riders enjoy horsemanship. She was a 4-H leader. Her stable became a safe haven for kids to hang out and work and ride after school. After moving to Maine, she joined the Maine Farm Bureau and served on the State Equine Committee as the representative of Knox and Lincoln counties.

June was always an extremely active member in every community that she resided in. Her strong beliefs and actions made her purposeful life very busy. When her children were growing up, she was a Scout Leader for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

She was predeceased by a brother, Frank Dorey of Texas, and her husband, George W. Phillips, in 1985.

She is survived by four children: Susan Haynes of Massachusetts, Eleanor and Walter Beard of Florida, son and daughter-in-law George W Phillips IV and Joan of Massachusetts, and Christine and Nat Berry of Maine. June is also survived by three granddaughters and four grandsons, as well as a great-granddaughter, and great grandson.

A celebration of life was held on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Boothbay Fire House. About 50 people met to enjoy Free Trade coffee and homemade desserts and to share stories and memories of June.

Celebrants included family, friends, Boothbay Harbor municipal officers, Maine Farm Bureau representatives, Democratic Party stalwarts, Boothbay Region Resources Council Chair and members, and board members from the Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation.

June Dorey Phillips was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be missed. And her memory will keep her dreams alive.