Phyllis Sagar

Phyllis Laurel (Callahan) Sagar, formerly of Landaff, NH, left this life on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH, where she had resided since 2009. Her last hours were peaceful and comforted by the presence of loved ones, including her three children, sister, three grandchildren, and daughter-in-law. Her pleasant, easy going personality and infectious smile made her well liked, and she had many friends among the staff, who’s loving and compassionate care provided her with comfort until the end; for which the family is eternally grateful. On the evening before her passing, one of those friends, Susan, beautifully sang one of Phyllis’s favorites, “Silent Night” at her bedside.

Born in 1929 at Weymouth, MA, Phyllis was the third of five children born to Harley W. and Bessie Muriel (Dolan) Callahan. Her father’s employment involved several moves, resulting in her childhood being spent in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Rhode Island. As a young adult, she was living in E. Providence, RI with her family when she met the love of her life, Lloyd W. Sagar. They were married in 1951 at the Haven Methodist Church in E. Providence, and were approaching their sixty-second anniversary at the time of Lloyd’s death in 2013. Phyllis had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Prior to her marriage, she was employed as an elevator operator at the Industrial Trust Building in Providence; the art deco skyscraper was then one of the tallest in New England. In the age before automatic elevators, her sister Jean remembers Phyllis then as a very attractive young woman in her gray uniform, who skillfully operated her elevator, stopping it precisely at the floors. As a young couple they resided in Scituate, RI before moving to Attleboro, MA shortly after the birth of their first child, where they resided for many years and raised their five children. They later lived in Woonsocket, RI for a few years, before moving to their dream home in Landaff, NH. She had a great love of animals, and a succession of pets enriched her life; in rural Landaff the bear, moose, deer, turkeys and other wild creatures were a constant delight. She also enjoyed gardening, crafts, cooking, travel, games and puzzles. In the early part of her marriage, Phyllis, Lloyd and their son Richard made several road trips throughout the East, South and west to the Mississippi River and beyond. Later, Lloyd’s employment with Amtrak provided them with a rail pass for unlimited travel, and they were soon off on frequent adventures throughout the United States. They covered thousands of miles, visiting many of the National Parks and other areas in the western US, including Alaska and parts of Canada. San Diego was a favorite destination and frequent base of operations. They both enjoyed visiting the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park on numerous occasions. They were often accompanied on their travels by one or more of their children and Lloyd’s mother, Hazel.

In addition to her beloved husband, she was predeceased by brothers Clarence and Irving Callahan and son-in-law Paul Dumais. Phyllis is survived by her five children, Richard B. Sagar and his wife Heidi of Landaff, NH, Beverly J. LaDuke of Litchfield, NH, John and Gregory Sagar of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Sherrie Dumais-Carey and her husband Kevin Carey of Dracut, MA; former son-in-law Donald A. LaDuke of Manchester, NH; her sister Jean Callahan of Lordstown, OH; her brother Richard Ashcroft and his wife Janice of Richmond, ME; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Jessica, Corey, & Nathan Dumais; Grace Carey; Aubrianne & Austin LaDuke; many nieces, nephews and their children.

Phyllis will be remembered, and live in the memory of those who knew her best, for her patience, sense of humor, wonderful smile, and her kind and loving personality.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at the Ross Funeral Home, 282 West Main St., Littleton, NH, with calling hours from 10 AM to 12 Noon which will be followed by services at Noon; following the chapel services an internment service will be held at the Landaff Center Cemetery in Landaff, NH. The Rev. David O. Lindsay will officiate at both services.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local humane society of your choice in memory of Phyllis L. Sagar.

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