Phyllis M. Dane Prouty

Phyllis M. Dane Prouty, of Moultonborough, N.H., died suddenly on Tuesday, August 15, 2107, at her home.

She was born July 27, 1925, in Medford, Mass., the daughter of Joseph Noyes and Alice (Hilson) Marsh.

She graduated from Medford High School and attended Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. She spent one year in Mexico with the American Friends Service Committee. In 1951 she married Sherman Dane, also of Medford. They moved to Marshfield, Mass., where they raised their three children. Phyllis was very active in the school system, helping to implement the School Volunteer Program, and serving for nine years on the school committee, the last six as chairperson. She was also active in the North Community Church for many years and served as the first woman moderator.

In 1989, five years after the death of her husband Sherman Dane, she married Jordan Prouty. The two couples had been friends for over 30 years. Phyllis and Jordan retired to Moultonborough and became very active in the community, town government, and Moultonborough United Methodist Church.

Phyllis' passion was the Moultonborough Public Library. She joined the "Friends of the Library" in 1989, quickly becoming president. She was later elected, by the town, to the Library Board of Trustees, serving for 15 years, the last eight as chairperson. She was especially proud when in 2008 the library was named "New Hampshire Library of the Year."

Phyllis possessed gracious charm, warmth, and a joy of life. She was welcoming to all and a true role model and leader for many. In 2015, Phyllis and Jordan were honored to be selected the Grand Marshals of the Moultonborough Fourth of July parade. The town's 2016 Annual Report was dedicated to this community-active couple. An avid reader until her final day, Phyllis was a wealth of knowledge and relished all discussions about historic and current events. Phyllis treasured time on her porch in York, Maine and New Hampshire, surrounded by family and friends.

Phyllis was predeceased by her first husband, Sherman Dane, her parents, Joseph Noyes and Alice Hilson Marsh, and her sister, the Rev. Janice Shepherd of Concord, N.H.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Jordan, her three children, Robert Dane and his wife Jayne of Heath, Mass., Christopher Dane and his wife Brindley of Stockton, N.J., and Nancy Dane Micklatcher and her husband Chris of Augusta, Mich. She is also survived by her four stepchildren, Susan Norris, Stephen Prouty and his wife Amy, Sara Prouty and her husband Bill Scott, and Sandra Guimond, and her husband Gene, all of Marshfield, as well as 24 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Phyllis' life will be held at the Moultonborough United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 23. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis' name to the Moultonborough Public Library, P.O. Box 150, Moultonborough, NH, 03254. The Mayhew Funeral Home and Crematorium, in Meredith and Plymouth, are assisting the family with their arrangements.