Phyllis E. Mason Haskell

She was born in Meriden, Connecticut on March 22, 1924, and was the daughter of Anna (Kline) and Paul Mason. Phyllis was the beloved wife of the late Donald F. Haskell of Skowhegan, Maine; they married October 21st, 1944. Her husband for 62 years, Don died in 2006.

Phyllis graduated from Meriden High School in 1942. She joined the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, the largest and youngest group of uniformed women to serve their country during World War II. They enjoyed their retirement years operating Haskell’s Antiques & Collectibles. Collectors and dealers in both Maine and Florida would often seek Phyllis’s expertise in Depression glass.

She was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Skowhegan. She loved to dance, listen to music, she enjoyed doing crafts and she especially loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by 3 brothers Edward Mason of Spring Hill, Florida, Robert Mason of Anson, Maine, and Donald Mason of Portland, Oregon. She leaves three children – Alan Haskell of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Marsha Merritt of Shelton, Connecticut, and Doreen Salisbury of Skowhegan, Maine. She leaves 5 grandchildren – Cara White of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Nathan Haskell of Brunswick Hills, Ohio, Leigh Penniman of Clinton, Massachusetts, Stephanie Wirth of Shelton, Connecticut, and Christian Salisbury of Skowhegan, Maine. She also leaves great grandchildren Chase and Brayden White, Zachary Wirth, Cody and Jake Penniman, and Samuel Haskell. Locally she leaves nephews and nieces Charlene Myers, and Christopher, Michael and Eric Layman, grandnieces and grandnephews Matthew, Megan, Wyatt and Alex Myers, and John, Rachel, Olivia, Muriel, Levi and Emmett Layman.

There will be a memorial service held Saturday August 7, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church, Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan. It will be conducted by Pastor Ned Crockett. A reception will immediately follow at the church.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Memory of Phyllis Haskell to the Centenary United Methodist Church, 113 Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 or to Beacon Hospice, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life…” John 3:16