Phyllis Patricia Trotto Armo

PHYLLIS PATRICIA ARMO, a 14 year resident of Waterville, Maine, passed away at her home on Saturday, February 19, 2011. She was a member of the GREATEST GENERATION having helped the American war effort by working as a welder during WWII on ships in dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy yard.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 17, 1920, one of seven children of Angelo and Anna (Collozzo) Trotto and was given Patricia as a middle name in recognition of St. Patrick. Her surviving brother, Angelo, resides in Long Island, New York.

In the early 1940s, Phyllis met her future husband, Francis E. Armo (Frank), fell in love and married in 1945. During Frank's military service as a US medic in World War II, he served in several combat locations throughout the South Pacific including the Philippines and Guadalcanal. Together they operated a flower shop in Brooklyn and later moved to Lindenhurst, Long Island, where they opened Evergreen Florist which they operated for over 20 years. Their family business was successful not only because of the beautiful arrangements they crafted, but because of the personal relationships they developed with their customers and the Lindenhurst community. They raised two children, Janice Armo Kassman and Frank Armo. Janice has worked at Colby College for many years and is married to Dr. Larry Kassman, an Emergency physician at MaineGeneral Medical Center. Frank is with Merrill Lynch in Boston and is married to Susan Van Wyck Armo. They reside in Sherborn, Massachusetts, with Phyllis’s two beloved grandchildren: Kylie and Matthew. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and their children.

Waterville was a good home for Phyllis and provided her with many warm friendships with several dear friends in her neighborhood, Newcomers Association, the Red Hatters, as well as many employees at Colby College, Maine General, and many local businesses. Until recently, Phyllis was often seen about town in the company of her friends.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the dedicated healthcare providers who helped sustain her health and independence throughout the years and most recently showed skill and compassion in helping her through her final battle with mesothelioma.

Viewing hours will be held at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street in Waterville on Friday, February 25 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Colby College Lorimer Chapel on Saturday, February 26 at 10 a.m. A private burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

Donations may be directed to MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care or HealthReach Hospice. Gifts may be made to either organization to honor the life of Phyllis Armo. MaineGeneral Health Office of Philanthropy P.O. Box 828 Waterville, ME 04903