While sitting in her favorite chair and gazing out on the orchard and fields she loved, Katharine Boardman Philbrick (“Katy”) died peacefully on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at her home in Madison, Maine. She cared deeply for her immediate and extended family, for her church family, and for her friends. Katy was a loving Mom, Stepmom, Grandmother and wife. Katy’s legacy will be her kindness and empathy toward all she knew, often placing their needs above her own. She delighted in and encouraged the accomplishments of others and shared in their joys and their sadness.
Katy was born in London, England on May 14th, 1927, the daughter of Sylvia Brockway and Roy C. Boardman. She attended elementary school there until the onset of World War II in 1939, when she and her mother and brother were fortunate to find refuge in Littleton, NH, where she graduated from the High School as the war ended in 1945. She went on to receive a B.A. from Radcliffe College.
In 1948, she was married to Lt. Paul D. LaFond, USMC, originally of Skowhegan, and moved with him and their three sons, Geoffrey, Peter and Mark from place to place as his career progressed. (13 moves over 20 years). During his absences because of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, she and her sons remained in Skowhegan. At another time, they spent two years in the Philippines. Occasionally, she was a teacher in elementary schools as they traveled. Their marriage ended in divorce.
In 1970, she was married to William L. “Bill” Philbrick in Littleton, where she had been employed as coordinator of volunteer services for White Mt. Community Services, and returned with him to Skowhegan, where they made their home and delighted in the times when their blended family of four sons and two daughters could be there with them.
His was a tradition of service to his community, which never ended until his death in 1997, and she enjoyed becoming involved also. She served as a board member and past president of the Redington-Fairview Hospital Auxiliary, secretary of the Skowhegan Women’s Club, secretary of the Community Concert Association, group leader of the Junior Great Books Program for SAD 54, and Executive Board member of the Skowhegan Women’s Aid Society. Katy was always an active communicant of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, where she served as chair of the Church Women, was a longtime Clerk of the Vestry, and at the time of her death was a member of the Altar Guild.
During their marriage, she and Bill often spent time traveling to be with family – springtime in England with her father, visits with various of their children in Eugene, Oregon and Seattle, and frequent winter visits with Bill’s parents in Florida. Until his retirement from his independent insurance agency, they enjoyed attending yearly conventions in many different cities across the country. However, their greatest joy was their family, as it grew to include beloved sons and daughters-in-law and eventually thirteen special grandchildren. They were also blessed with many good friends as their all-too-short 27 years passed by.
Katy will be so missed and long remembered by her sons Geoffrey and wife Anne LaFond; Peter and wife Michelle Jodoin LaFond; Mark LaFond and wife Vickie Riley; stepson William (Billy) Philbrick and wife Nancy Brucker; stepdaughter Kathy Philbrick-Gates and husband Skip Gates; stepdaughter Judy Philbrick, as well as her grandchildren: Sarah Delaney Jackson, Hunter LaFond, Elyse LaFond, Emily LaFond, Michael LaFond, Bennett LaFond, Grace Riley, Sam Gates, Peter Gates, Melissa Gates, Jasmine Gates, Kendra Elliston and Conor Elliston. Katy was predeceased by her husband William Philbrick and by her grandson William Henry Philbrick Gates. Katy is also survived by six nieces and nephews.
Katy was predeceased by her husband William L. Philbrick; her brother Howard Boardman, and her grandson William Henry Philbrick Gates.
Special thanks to Laura Peterson, whose loving home care and companionship gave Katy the gift of staying happily in her own home in the last years of her life.
Funeral services and a celebration of her life will be held at Katy’s beloved All Saints Episcopal Church in Skowhegan whenever it will be safe to gather.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Anyone who wishes to leave the family messages can do so on our website at – www.smartandedwardsfh.com
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Katy’s name to All Saints Episcopal Church, 169 Malbon Mills Rd., Skowhegan, ME 04976.
