1929 – 2016

AUBURN — Phyllis E. Wardwell, 86, of Lewiston passed over peacefully on Friday, June 3, at the Hospice House in Auburn. She was in the loving care of her family, The Lamp Memory Care Center, and the Androscoggin Home Hospice care team.

Phyllis was born in Wilton on Aug. 5, 1929, the daughter of Albert Sr. and Evelyn (Allen) Chouinard. She graduated from Wilton Academy and Pelletier’s School of Beauty Culture in Lewiston. On July 2, 1948, she married Rodney Wardwell of Livermore Falls in a ceremony at the home of her parents in East Dixfield.

Upon marriage, Phyllis and Rodney lived in Livermore, Waterville, Lewiston and eventually settled in Auburn when Rodney went to work for local automobile and truck dealerships, retiring from Rowe Fordland.

Phyllis was a dedicated stay-at-home mother to their three children, making their care and her warm and inviting home her number one priority. While bringing up her family, Phyllis worked as a clerk for the Fairview School Hot Lunch Program and also earned her real estate license and sold real estate for a short time. She then went back to college and into the work place as the registrar at Mid-State College in Auburn where she enjoyed helping many students find their chosen career. Upon retirement, she and Rodney enjoyed wintering in Florida and Arizona, still making Maine their summer home.

Her enjoyment was her family and friends, making many friends as she and Rodney traveled the country. She also enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Brettuns Pond, dancing, snowmobiling, entertaining and was an avid reader throughout her life. While wintering in Arizona, she and Rodney enjoyed many activities, especially the shuffle board league where Phyllis was the secretary and treasurer. She was a skilled shuffle board player and was very proud of the many trophies she earned in competitions.

She is survived by two daughters, Brenda and husband, Thomas Benner, of Auburn, Catherine and husband, Rod Wilson, of Lewiston; a son, Steven and wife, Nancy, of Frankford, W.Va.; two grandsons, Jason Benner and his partner, Amy Asselin, of Raymond; Andrew Hall and his partner, Ashley Cowwet, of Minot; one granddaughter, Robin Dorman and her husband, Steven, of Leonardstown, Md.; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Dorman of Leonardstown, Md., Lylah Cowwet and Landon Hall of Minot; one brother, Albert Chouinard Jr. of Wilton; two sisters-in-law, Jean Hodgkins of Lewiston, and Rita Bailey of Winslow; a cousin, Melvin Allen of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Rodney Wardwell; her parents; her aunt and uncle, Ruth and Lawrence Allen; a brother-in-law, Alan Bailey; her sister-in-law’s life partner, Jack Bray; and a nephew, Michael Hodgkins.

The family thanks the kind and caring staff of The Lamp Memory Care Center where Phyllis resided for the past nine months, as well as the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice team, for the wonderful care given to Phyllis.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralalternatives.net.