Phyllis Riess Hancock

Phyllis Hancock died peacefully at her home in Campton, NH on April 1, 2013 at the age of 89, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, The Rev. Bayard Hancock, and her children Jan of Burlington, VT; Lee (Katy) of Hopkinton, NH; Paula of Campton, NH; and Carol of Fairfax, VA; eight grandchildren: Chad Ahern (Amy), Todd Ahem (Erika), Craig Ahem (Michelle), Steven Ahem, Kim Spigner, Kathryn Spigner, Ian Hancock, and Elizabeth Hancock; and four great-grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by their daughter Barbara Dale and her parents Elmer and Hazel Riess.

Phyllis was born on March 5,1924 in Rochester, New York. She grew up in Nutley, New Jersey and attended MacMurray College in Illinois. She married Bayard Hancock on March 25, 1945, in Paris, Texas. She was Bayard's wife through college after World War II, seminary, and ministry in four parishes in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

Phyllis ran a day care center in her home in Plymouth for thirteen years, after which she cared for people who had disabilities or were elderly. Phyllis was an active member and communicant at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Ashland and Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) in Plymouth, where her husband served as rector.

Phyllis loved being with her family and taking part in their various activities. Her roles as wife, mother, homemaker and caregiver were of utmost importance to her. She supported Bayard's community ministries in many ways and she was one of the original organizers of the Fresh Air Fund in the Ashland-Plymouth area.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Highland Street in Ashland on Thursday April 4, 2013 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Highland St., Ashland, NH 03217, Church of the Holy Sprirt, Main St., Plymouth, NH. 03264, Pemi-Baker Home Community Health and Hospice, 101 Boulder Point Dr., Suite #3, Plymouth, NH or Speare Memorial Hospital, Hospital Road, Plymouth, NH.