Obituary of Phyllis Mae Lumb

PHYLLIS MAE WETHERBEE LUMB 2/11/1921 – 10/21/2021 Phyllis Mae Wetherbee Lumb, 100, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Brookdale, Niskayuna. She was the beloved wife of Ralph Francis Lumb for 80 years. Phyllis was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 11, 1921, to the late Kenneth B. and Olive Pike Wetherbee. As a young girl, Phyllis worked in the family business, Wetherbee and Co., Bookbinders, which she was always proud to say had fed three generations of Wetherbees through the depression, World War II and beyond. She was a stay-at-home mom who later in life worked in real estate, was a self-employed used book dealer (“Bibliophyl”), and co-owned/operated The Old Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast in Somersville, CT, with Ralph. Phyllis was a lover of music, teaching herself to play many instruments. She also loved books, jigsaw puzzles, traveling, learning, nature, genealogy, holding babies, and celebrating the accomplishments of her many family members. She and Ralph raised eight children in over twenty homes. They loved to travel, especially on educational tours and camping trips. She took much joy from her family – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Aside from her husband, Ralph, she is survived by her 8 children, Sandra Eddy, Joy Holland, Cheryl Drescher, Randall, Richard (Mary), Linda Warner, Steven (Michail Shaw), and Bonnie Lillis (Robert); 11 grandchildren, Erik, Elizabeth, Scot, Wendy, Kelly, Grady, Kristin, Jesse, Casey, Matthew and Timothy; 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by a cousin, Deborah Chabot (Henry). In addition to her parents, Phyllis is pre-deceased by her siblings, Wallace, David and Martha. A memorial service will be held at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Norton Hill, 5830 State Route 81, Greenville, on Saturday, December 4th at 2 o’clock. To honor Phyllis’ love of music, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the organ fund of the Asbury United Methodist Church, PO Box 599, Greenville, NY 12083. Condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com.