Phyllis Ann Hanley

On June 9, 2025, Phyllis Ann (Houle) Hanley (85) passed from this life peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family following a challenging journey with Alzheimer's and cancer.

Born on May 11, 1940 to Velma L. (Burton) and Fredrick A. Houle in Nashua, NH, Phyllis spent an active youth in Pelham, NH, and graduated from Alvirne High School. Phyllis attended Plymouth State University, formally Plymouth Teachers College, and began her long career in education at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH. Her time near Hampton Beach was a wonderful chapter in her life and instilled a lifelong love of the ocean.

Soon thereafter, Phyllis married her hometown sweetheart, Ewart Balcom, and together they shared three daughters. Phyllis raised her three girls in Bradford, VT and became an active member of that community. She resumed her career teaching business education at Orford High School in 1975, leaving a lasting impression on thousands of students who spent time in her classroom throughout her 25 year tenure.

Known for her generous spirit and effervescent personality, Phyllis lived a life of engagement and service. In addition to her roles as senior class advisor, cheer coach and girl scout leader, her faith guided work at Grace United Methodist Church. There she held many roles through the years including, superintendent of Sunday School, membership on the Interfaith Church Council, staff parish relations and finance committees, as well as, lay leadership. Phyllis was also active in the Emmaus organization, served as director for Camp Agape at Covenant Hills and participated in prison ministry.

Phyllis loved to spend time outdoors and cultivated a fabulous garden. She enjoyed knitting, sudoku, cards, and puzzles in recent years. However, her greatest love was her family. She shared an especially close bond with her girls and developed special relationships with all her grandchildren. The extended family enjoyed many beach vacations and she cherished that time together. Phyllis had a compassionate nature and countless others benefitted from her love; finding kindness, wisdom and support in her wide embrace.

Phyllis is survived by her three daughters; Deborah Dunne (John Dunne), Gayle Balcom (Tedd LeBlanc) & Stephanie Davis (Andrew Davis), eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law, Norman Edwards, several cousins, nieces and nephews. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Joanne (Houle) Edwards, Robert Hanley, and Rodney Perry.

While the spring in her step faded in recent years, Phyllis never lost the twinkle in her eye, her positive attitude, nor her beautiful smile. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. All are welcome to a celebration of her life to be held in Bradford, VT at Grace United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Bradford, Vermont Interfaith Church Council Food Shelf (checks sent to the Bradford Food Shelf, PO Box 684, Bradford, VT 05033) or the Brookhaven Hospice, through the Journey Health Foundation (https://brookhavenhospice.com/make_a_donation.php).