Phyllis S. (Sherman) Clukay

Phyllis S. Clukay Athol – Phyllis S. (Sherman) Clukay, 92, died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.      Phyllis was born in East Wilton, Maine, November 7, 1919, the daughter of Raymond and Amy (Noyes) Sherman and was raised by her mother and step-father William Scott.  Following her marriage she moved to Athol in 1948.  She graduated from Rochester High School in 1936, Keene State College in 1940 and did her graduate work at Middlebury College.        Phyllis attended school in a one- room school house and was able to advance and graduated at age 16, graduating from college at age 20 at which time she started her teaching career.  She was a substitute teacher in Athol going on to Athol High School where she became the 9th grade English teacher in 1960, retiring in 1977 after over 35 years of teaching.        Phyllis was a very active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry and the Altar Guild and several other committees at church.  She also wrote a book about the church in her later years.  She was a member of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered in the Glass Shelf Gift Shop, belonged to the New England Historical Genealogical Society and the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association.  She enjoyed doing all types of needlework, including cross stitch, crewel and was an avid reader.   Phyllis was a very gracious and caring person, enjoying life and all those she came into contact with.        Her husband of 48 years, Robert C. Clukay died in 1997.  She leaves a son,  Robert S. Clukay and his wife Jane and a daughter, Ann E. Clukay-Whittier and her husband Bruce,  two grandchildren, John and Thomas Whittier, all of New Salem,  a brother, John Sherman of Rochester, NH, two sisters, Dorothy Roberts of Rochester, NH and Patricia Dupre of Chicago, IL.  She also leaves several nieces and nephews.      A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Avenue, Athol with the Rev. William Hobbs, Rector officiating.  There are no calling hours and burial will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Phyllis’ name be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Avenue, Athol or Quabbin Valley Healthcare, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });