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1915
2012
ROWE - Phyllis Eleanor (Chamberlin) Volland, 96, of 127 County Road, died Saturday (11-10-12) at Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield.
She was born in Gardner, May 29, 1915, the daughter of Claude J. and Ethel E. (Brooks) Chamberlin. She attended Princeton Center Schools in Worcester County.
Phyllis was a dedicated teacher who devoted her life to her students, having no children of her own. She always said she ""had lots of children to care for."" Phyllis taught for several years at the Branch School in Heath and then at Pudding Hollow School in Hawley until that school was closed and children were sent to Hawlemont Regional School. She then taught at the Rowe Village School from 1954 to 1962 and later as the primary grades teacher at the Rowe Elementary School from 1962 -1972.
She was a stern teacher with a kind heart and quick wit. She was known by her students as ""having eyes on the back of her head."" Phyllis had a way of discreetly caring for many needs of her students such as quietly replacing a student's worn overcoat with a warmer one. She mentored many teachers over the years and followed her students' progress through graduation and beyond.
Phyllis was married to Arthur Volland on July 5, 1938 and enjoyed 39 years of marriage before Arthur died in 1977. They farmed on Jacobs Road in Heath for several years before building a home in Rowe. Following her retirement in 1972, Phyllis divided the year between her beloved Rowe and Zephyrhills, Fla. Even in her retirement Phyllis continued to teach English as a volunteer in Florida. Phyllis was well-traveled and once took a bush plane tour of Alaska.
A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the West Cemetery in Rowe, followed by a reception at the Gracy House in Rowe Center.
Donations in Phyllis' memory can be made to The Recorder Warm the Children Fund, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA; to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 160 Hatfield, MA; or to Rowe Historical Society, P.O. Box 455, Rowe, MA 01367.
Messages of condolence may be sent to: smithkelleherfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Phyllis was a dear friend that shared
memories,lunch, and a laugh. Always had
the door open for a visit. Hope we can
do as well. Miss her, always will.
Paul & Jeanette Adams, Belleview, Fl
December 1, 2012
Phyllis will be greatly missed by us, I got to know her in the past six years and had the pleasure of her interesting stories and the knowledge she could share with me. We will truly miss this fine lady Marge & Floyd Smith Sr
November 23, 2012
My Brother Charlie & I will miss our Aunt Phyllis
Lois Chamberlian Kramer
November 22, 2012
Phyllis was my teacher in 1955 and part of 1956 as I was transferrred to Hawlemont. She was very dedicated and we've been friends all these years. We have been on two cruises, one to the Bhahamas and one to Bermuda on the QE2. We all learned so much from her. John Magnago
John Magnago
November 19, 2012
Phyllis was a beautiful Mazing and strong woman we are all lucky to have been in her presence
Jennifer Vernon
November 14, 2012
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