Phyllis Lothrop- Former Staff

Phyllis J. Lothrop, beloved wife of W. Allan Lothrop, died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026, surrounded by love. She loved to learn, loved to travel, and was deeply devoted to her family.

Family, friends, relationships, and travel were the core parts of Phyllis’s life. She was born to loving parents John J. and Mary Voytko Jacubouis, of Auburn, Maine, on November 20, 1930. In 1952, Phyllis said yes to a blind date with Allan Lothrop—the man with whom she would build a life over the course of 67 years. They were married on October 9, 1954, in Lewiston, Maine. For their 25th anniversary, she and Allan were fortunate to travel to Switzerland, France, and Italy with good friends. She and Allan traveled across and around the United States in their motor home and visited all the provinces of Canada. For nine years, they stayed at the Golden Hill Campground on Lake Ontario in New York, where they made many lasting friendships. Phyllis often reflected on how she had a wonderful life, enjoying traveling in their RV, camping, reading, knitting, playing cards, crafting, cooking projects, a close family, and good friends. Allan passed away from long-term heart issues in 2020, after sixty-five and a half years of marriage.

Phyllis loved learning, reading, and education. She was one of only two girls in her upper-level math classes when she attended Edward Little High School. She continued her education at the Auburn School of Commerce. Due to her social nature and love of reading, she was a member of the Oxford County Educators Association-Retired (OCEAR) and a board member of the Fryeburg Public Library. Phyllis thrived in the areas of education and numbers, becoming a fiercely competent assistant business manager at Fryeburg Academy for 25 years. She also was a teacher of accounting/bookkeeping and keyboarding/typing for Fryeburg’s adult education program, and helped students achieve their GED for 14 years. It was deeply rewarding for her to see these students reach their goals.

Phyllis combined her love of learning and teaching with her love of family. She loved collecting quotes, poems, and articles, frequently sharing them with her family, and often expressed her fondness for the 23rd Psalm. She was an avid reader and would read whatever her grandchildren were reading, including Captain Underpants and the Harry Potter series. She cherished attending the midnight release parties for new Harry Potter books with her grandchildren, and even won a best costume award for her interpretation of Professor Sprout. She assisted many Girl Scouts in earning badges, encouraged her daughters to attend Girl Scout Camp, and was a 4-H leader. She encouraged her own children to be active in those organizations and supported them as they advanced. Her daughter Cyndy, son-in-law Bert, and grandsons Nathaniel and Sam were all active in Scouts and went on to become teachers.

Her family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the wonderful team that has cared for her these past months.

Phyllis is survived by her two daughters and a son-in-law: Cynthia Lothrop Engvall, of Intervale, NH. and Susan and Stephen Hart of Billerica, MA. Four grandchildren also survive her: Nathaniel Engvall and his wife Martha; Samuel Engvall and his fiancée Sidonie Gindre; Melissa Hart; and Matthew Hart.

A small graveside service will be held in honor of Phyllis at 4:00 pm on June 19, 2026 at Pine Grove Cemetery, Fryeburg, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fryeburg Public Library, 515 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037 or Visiting Nurse, Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine, PO Box 432, North Conway, NH 03860.