Phyllis June (Lafland) Cloukey
CLOUKEY, Phyllis June (Lafland), 75, ASHLAND, at Presque Isle, July 3, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Ashland. Arrangements are under the care of Lajoie Funeral Home, Ashland.
ASHLAND – Phyllis June (Lafland) Cloukey, 75, passed away Friday, July 3, 2015, at The Aroostook Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 4, 1939, in Lagrange, ME, but Sheridan was her home. She was the daughter of the late Philip Lafland and Hannah Newbegin Carter.
Phyllis worked at Aroostook Shoe Factory for over 20 years. After its closure, she enrolled in classes and proudly earned her high school diploma. She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mark’s Church, Ashland, and a lifetime member of the Ashland VFW Auxiliary, Post 9699.
She had so much love and pride for her family. She often shared photos and stories of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was most happy when she was surrounded by them. She loved to have a full house and invited many people to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner knowing they may be alone for the holidays. Phyllis oftentimes arrived home from work to find her children had invited their classmates to supper; her philosophy was “the more the merrier” and “at least I know where everyone is.” She taught her family the meaning of hard work, faith, true love, support, family and friendship, and would do anything for anyone, putting herself last and everyone else first. Phyllis was a beautiful lady inside and out, loved to meet new people, and was a very faithful friend. Some of her fondest memories were those giggling with her sisters during their infectious laughter spells, picnics at the Feter Farm, family softball games, and watching old family movies and Game Show Network. A true matriarch of the family, Phyllis was the one to recall a date or event, and she always tried to attend every game, concert or event of her children, grandchildren or the many children she babysat.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Rene Cloukey, Sr. of Sheridan; a son, Rene Cloukey, Jr. and his fiancé, Kelley Fitzpatrick of Presque Isle; a daughter, Tracy Long and her husband, Patrick of Ashland; three sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Spooner and her husband, Ivan of No. Anson, Annie York of Solon, and Lillian Clark and her husband, Al of Massachusetts; one brother, Philip Lafland and his wife, Barbara of Mass.; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Arthur “AJ” Cloukey and his wife, Shawn and their son, Aaron of Presque Isle, Angela Cloukey and her daughter, Kaydence of Presque Isle, Amber Philbrick and her husband, Tim and their children, Austin and Chase of Westfield, Joey and Zach Ebner of Houlton, Christopher Long of Ashland, and Danielle (Long) Boyles and her husband, Eric and their children, Landon and Lainey of Sheridan; three brothers-in-law, Herman Cloukey and his wife, Anne of Ashland, Frederick Cloukey of Connecticut, and Hubert Cloukey and his wife, Carol of Presque Isle; and many special nieces, nephews and friends. She also had a special place in her heart for the children she babysat: Jeremy, Kenny and Timmy Tarr, Kim and Kelly Alley, Dylan and Tyler Michaud, and Andrew Libby.
Besides her parents, Phyllis was predeceased by a daughter, Kathy; her step-father, Irvin Carter; and a sister, Maude Abbott.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Karki, ICU nurses Jonathan, Travis, Jodi, Lindsley, Maggie and Melissa, and the Acute Rehab nurses. “All of you were not only there for Phyllis but also a huge support for her family. Thank you for not giving up on our mother and making her feel special and comfortable until it was her time.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Allen Farm Rd., Ashland. Relatives and friends greeted the family Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., and may greet on Wed. 9-10:45 a.m., at the church. Burial will follow at St. Mark’s Cemetery, Ashland. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., PO Box 39, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis’ name may be made to: Ashland Recreation Department, PO Box 910, Ashland, ME 04732. To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com.
