Phyllis Lee Sutter

WEST GARDINER – Phyllis Lee Sutter, 71, of West Gardiner, Maine, died Thursday, December 30th, 2021, at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta from complications of COVID – 19, with her family by her side. She was born in Augusta, Maine on April 29, 1950, the daughter of Leroy and Fern (Brunelle) Wheelock. Phyllis spent her childhood working with her large family in family-owned restaurants in the Augusta area. Her family moved to West Gardiner at the end of the Benson Road. She attended Gardiner High School and became friends with Dale Sutter who would become her brother-in-law. She met Jimmy, Dale's brother, when he came home from the service, and married him in 1967 at the First Baptist Church of West Gardiner. She became the mother of four children and held many different types of positions in churches and organizations. She also worked in retail and the hospitality industry in service to everyone no matter what she was doing. She was an Avon Rep and cleaned people’s houses. Although there was not a lot of money, she would always give everything she could to anyone in need. She came home one day without shoes because she picked someone up on the side of the road walking barefoot. When asked she said that the girl needed them more than she did. Her favorite thing to do was pray for anyone. She always lent a helpful hand to her friends and family when they were ill or needed comfort. She was a Sunday school teacher; she taught a lot of children about the word of God. She enjoyed listening to her husband sing and play the guitar. When she became a MEME in 1990, a new world opened for her filled with a boundless, eternal love for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a joy in her heart for them and considered them to be the most important thing in her world. Her favorite color was yellow and her flower, yellow roses. Her infectious laugh and fun spirit will be missed by all who knew her. Her Husband of 54 years misses her dearly. This world has gained an angel to watch over us. She was predeceased by; her parents Fern and Leroy of West Gardiner, her Father and Mother In-Law, James Albert and Evelyn Mable (Dupont) Sutter of West Gardiner, her brother's Boy (Roy Jr.), Vance, John, William, & Gordon T. Wheelock, her Sister Patty Havey, and her Special Sister Nancy J. LaCasse. Phyllis is survived by her husband James A. Sutter, Jr., of West Gardiner; her Daughter Carrie and her husband Tim Bates of Hallowell, Son Jamie and his partner, Shelly of Gardiner, Son Tim, and his partner, Becky of Palermo, Daughter Honey, and her husband Gregory P. MacMaster of West Gardiner, Florence and Dale T. Sutter of Portland, Sister’s Lillian Massie of Palermo, Carol Meyer of Randolph, Donna Perkins of Brunswick, Diane Carr of Brunswick, Joyce Wheelock of Palermo, Sandra Crocker of West Gardiner, Brother’s, David, Robert, & Ronald Wheelock all of Augusta, Her Adored Grandchildren, Ryan and Adria Stewart of Brewer, Dale and Johanna Stewart of Bangor, Nick and Megan Bates, James A. Collins, Clayton, Autumn Lee, Gregory F. MacMaster, Katelyn and Jerry Coffman, all of West Gardiner, Justin, Kayla and Timmy Sutter of Gardiner, and her cherished Great Grandchildren, Brayden, Conner Stewart and Amelia Rose Coffman; and several nieces and nephews Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 6, from 11:00 – 1:00pm, followed by a memorial service at 1:00pm, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner. Per the request of the family, all attendees will be required to wear masks. Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com