Phyllis I (Ingalls) Crawford

Phyllis Crawford passed away at her home in Sugar Hill, NH on April 2nd 2017. She was born in the small village of South Westerlo, NY on November 12, 1929, daughter of Clarence and Alliene (Beers) Ingalls and step-daughter of Irene (Worth) Ingalls, and raised under the loving hand of the family housekeeper, Blanche Palmer.

Upon graduation from Greenville Academy, Phyllis moved to New York City where she was employed in banking. It was while living in Manhattan that she met her future husband, Alden Crawford, when they both had apartments in the same westside brownstone. Typical for young wives of that era, Phyllis became the family caregiver and moved as her husband’s career required: Springfield, MA, St. Louis, Providence and finally, Reading, MA where they lived for thirty-six years. Phyllis and Alden were to have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this May.

Phyllis re-entered the work force when her youngest child entered high school. She was employed by College Marketing Group as the national book mobile scheduler, and later joined the advertising department of the Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. from which she retired in 1990.

Phyllis dearly loved and enjoyed her family and close circle of friends. An excellent cook and gracious hostess, she served up many delicious dinners over the years. She had a gifted talent for sewing, knitting, fine needle-point work and furniture refinishing. Phyllis took great pleasure in reading, spending long hours lost in her books. She enjoyed music, in particular listening to Pavarotti or Sinatra. She was an ardent sports fan as well, and took particular delight in watching the Boston Bruins.

Phyllis began skiing in the 1950s, enjoyed many ski jaunts with family and friends, and became a founding member of the Boggestow Ski Club. With her husband, Phyllis traveled extensively throughout the forty-eight, Hawaii, the Carribean and enjoyed several trips to Europe.

Phyllis lived a life of quiet dignity and her compassionate nature and kindness will be missed by her loving family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Alden, son Matthew of Sugar Hill, NH, daughter Laura and husband Moe Mulkigian of Lyman, NH, daughter Kate and husband Joe McGillicuddy of Southbury, CT, granddaughters Jill and Molly Bromley, grandson Michael McGillicuddy, and step-children Lauren, Kate and Ben Mulkigian. Phyllis was predeceased by her brother Kenneth Ingalls, and sisters Ellen Applebee and Janice Dietz.

A service in celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held Monday, April 17th, twelve o’clock noon at All Saints Episcopal Church, 35 School St., Littleton, NH. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a contribution in her memory to Doctors Without Borders, donate.doctorswithoutborders.org or P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. 

 Service Information