Wyllie, Louise, 93, of Warren, at Rockland, on October 4, 2011. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.
WARREN – Louise Wyllie, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at a Rockland nursing home. Born in Presque Isle March 2, 1918, she was the daughter of Leon and Effie Stewart Barnes.
She spent most of her early years in Caribou, although the family lived briefly in Skowhegan and Madison. In 1936, she graduated from Caribou High School. She was a long time member of the Caribou United Baptist Church and was an integral part of its choral program. It was there she met Robert Wyllie, her husband of 57 years. Except for brief periods of employment at the Caribou J.C. Penney store, the Pen Bay building fund office in Rockland, and the Chicago I.R.S. office, she worked for over 37 years for the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, initially on the switchboard in the Caribou and Presque Isle offices and subsequently in the telephone business office in Rockland. She retired in 1980 from the Augusta business office and moved with her husband to Wakefield, Mass., when he became employed by the federal government. They returned to Warren permanently in 1986.
Aside from her business career, she was best known as a singer, having been part of the well-known Barnes trio in Aroostook county, as well as trio ensembles in Augusta. She was a faithful choir member for many years, most recently as a member of the Thomaston Baptist Church choir, where she also taught Sunday school classes and served as Sunday school superintendent.
Although she had no children of her own, she always stopped to talk with babies in any restaurant and all children were welcome in her home.
She is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, especially William Kelley of Monroe, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kelley of South Portland, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Westin of Albion, and Mark Westin of Caribou.
She was an excellent cook and hosted many choir parties and Sunday evening get-togethers with close friends.
She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Spear of Hampden and Marion Wyllie of Warren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; and her six siblings: Hazel Kelley, Lewis Barnes, Irvin Barnes, Mamie Berry, Mildred Westin, and Gladys Syring.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the professional care given Louise during the past several months, including the EMT Warren Ambulance crew; Dr. Waterman and Karen Berry, R.N.; Kno-Wal-Lin staff, especially Vicki Mason, R.N.; and the staff at both Windward Gardens in Camden and Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland. The care from all the caregivers was professional and genuinely personal.
Visiting hours were held from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Thomaston Baptist Church, 212 Main Street, where a service of remembrance immediately followed at 2 p.m. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer officiated.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or story with Mrs. Wyllie’s family, please visit her guest book at www.bchfh.com
