Phyllis Jeanne Anderson Bridges

She was born in Rumford, Maine, on Oct. 17, 1924, and grew up in Belfast, Maine, graduating in 1942 from Crosby High School.

While the last several years of her life involved a series of health challenges, Phyllis maintained a spirit for living that reflected both her positive outlook and her unwavering optimism. She truly was a “Woman of Substance” serving as a supportive spouse, a mentor in her role as a professional counselor, a loving mother, aunt and grandmother.

Phyllis was a very active student leader at Crosby High School as an honor student and member of the National Honor Society. She played woman’s basketball all four years, serving as captain during her senior year, active in student council serving as secretary, treasurer, and vice-president. She was also a member of the Hi-Y Club, a cheerleader, and one of the student editors of the Keystone Yearbook. As suggested by her fellow students, “She is surely a Grade A Girl”!

After high school, Phyllis moved to Portland, Maine, where she worked as a telephone operator for “Ma Bell.” In Portland, she met her future husband, Henry Jed Bridges “Harry,” while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy. After completing his World War II service, Harry and Phyllis were married. While living in Portland, Harry enrolled in Portland Junior College, Phyllis continued her work with the telephone company while raising their daughter, Jeanne Phyllis. After Portland, the family moved to Waterville as Harry transferred to Colby College and their daughter Leslie was born during this time. Upon Harry’s graduation from Colby, the entire family move to Shanks Village in Nyack, N.Y., where Harry earned his masters degree from Columbia University.

Subsequently the entire family, which now included their son, Gregory, moved to Jamestown, N.Y., where Harry become a faculty member for the newly established Jamestown Community College. Phyllis enrolled in Jamestown Community College and its “Potential of Women” program and earned an associate of arts degree. She transferred to the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning a bachelors degree in education, and then went on to earn a master degree in guidance and counseling at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y.

Phyllis’s first job, after graduation, was teaching at Ring Elementary School in Jamestown, N.Y. In 1968, she was offered a position to assist in the establishment and opening of a new middle school in the Southwestern Central School District in Lakewood, N.Y. She started as a librarian in the middle school and upon earning her masters degree, she became the high school guidance counselor until her retirement in 1982.

During their time in Waterville, Maine, Phyllis and Harry became familiar with Popham Beach. In the 1960s, they bought the beach’s historic White Spot Restaurant and cottages. While Harry was working on his doctoral degree, Phyllis ran the business at Popham. It truly was a family affair. Their daughters: Jeanne and Leslie helped in the kitchen and waited on tables. Gregory and Philip (the Bridges’ nephew) took care of the outside parking and cottages. Phyllis ran a “tight ship” but also provided a loving and supportive experience for all involved.

There in Maine, Phyllis renewed her interest in painting. She painted many landscapes and seascapes which to this day hang brilliantly in multiple homes including Maine. She also loved to read and in the late afternoon, enjoy her drink of the day….her Manhattan, with the proper dosage of Maraschino cherries.

Phyllis was predeceased by the death of her daughter, Jeanne Phyllis Mellow (Richard) in 1971; and husband, Henry Jed Bridges in 1990. She is also predeceased by her siblings: sister, Francis Gilchrist; and brothers: Frank, Charlie, Bobby and Jim Anderson.

She is survived by daughter, Leslie Bridges Mangano (Paul) of Palm Coast, Fla.; son, Gregory J. Bridges of Edmond, Okla.; and grandchildren: Trevor Bridges of London, England, Nicole Mellow (Paige Bartels), Brooke Holcombe (Tony), Jordan Mangano of Chautauqua, N.Y., and Cole Mangano of Portland, Maine. Phyllis also had six great-grand-children: Hadley Bridges, Lexie Bridges, Bella, Mason and Corbin Holcomb and Rafa and Luca Mellow-Bartels. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Phil Day (Val) who lived with the family while attending Jamestown Community College.

At Phyllis’s request, her body was cremated and some of the ashes will be placed in the grave site next to her husband, Harry and daughter Jeanne in Jamestown, N.Y. Her remaining ashes will be distributed on a private site located on her cherished Popham Beach after a celebratory toast of “Manhattans” shared by and with many of her extended family and friends… “Here’s to Phyllis!”