A Celebration of Life Of Evelyn A. Philbrick Squire
July 10, 1905 - March 18, 2002
By John M. Holman - 2nd Grade Student - 1936-37
Hampton Centre School
("Miss Philbrick" ... Teacher, Mentor, Friend)
1905 - 2002
In September of 1935, I started first grade at the Centre School and Miss Marston was our teacher. Firm, but fair, I remember. The first year went fairly quickly and before we knew it, it was June of 1936 and if we were lucky, we would be promoted to second grade, where more surprises awaited us. In September of 1936, 31 smiling faces (well, most of the 31), all shined and polished, greeted a new teacher. Her name, we were told, was EVELYN PHILBRICK, (later, she became Mrs. Squire, after she was married in 1938 to George Squire.) Her family called her "Evie", her friends called her "Evelyn", but she said, we could call her "MISS PHILBRICK which we did.
From the first day of school until June of 1937, we found out that she was a very warm and caring teacher, with an abundance of patience. Here was a teacher we could relate to, sort of a "friend in school", but in addition to this special trait, we could still learn from her. For instance, I learned to tie my shoes much tighter and neater than I had learned in first grade. Well, I would have learned in Kindergarten, but we didn’t have one then, at least not a public one, until 1947. The majority of us really liked school, probably mainly, because we liked "Miss Philbrick", and kind of bonded to her. We couldn’t wait til the next school day. (Well, most of us, anyway.)
I kept in touch with Evelyn, off and on, over the years. Back in the mid-60’s, I hired her daughter, Betsey, to work in the Produce Department of the Hampton First National Store, where I was the Produce Manager. Betsey’s favorite job in the Produce department was wrapping green beans! (Just kidding, Betsey!) Betsey was a good softball player, though, when we got together on weekends for our softball games.
During our 50th Graduation Anniversary from Hampton Academy and High School in June 1997, two of my fellow classmates and I, thought it would be a neat idea to invite Evelyn to our Reunion as our guest. She accepted and a good time was had by all. Some of our other teachers were also invited to kind of keep Evelyn company. She was escorted to the Reunion by her daughter Betsey.
& Evelyn ("Miss Philbrick") Squire at Centre School,
September 19, 1997.
On September 19, 1997, the three of us had another brainstorm. Why not bring Evelyn to the very same class room we all shared in 1936—37 at the Hampton Centre School and have the pupils of Miss Rita Colby, who was also a 2nd grade teacher, ask us questions about our "tour of duty" in second grade some 60 years ago. We went and had a marvelous time, with the local press documenting the goings—on and the Principal video taping the afternoon get—together. In October 1997, Miss Colby’s pupils rewarded Evelyn with a personal letter from each of them to her.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you for coming and sharing in Evelyn Philbrick Squire’s celebration of life. "Miss Philbrick", we will all miss you and will remember all those informative days of second grade, those many years ago, where we learned the four R’s, reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic and respect.
Class dismissed!
[Letter from Evelyn Squire to John Holman]September 20, 1997
Dear John,
Tuesday afternoon, September 19, 1997, is a date I shall always remember and also you, John, my 'favorite' pupil who has been so kind to me in many ways, will always be fondly and happily remembered.
You planned a day for me with three of my former pupils to visit the class room where I taught second grade many years ago at the Hampton Centre School. The visit was truly wonderful and I thank you deeply and sincerely.
It is impossible for me to express in words the many happy memories that came rushing back.
I was completely thrilled and I hope some time to tell you how much that day meant to me. Our lunch was excellent and the day was perfect.
Warm autumn wishes to you and Connie (Holman).
Love,
Evelyn
student Barbara (Garland) Woods at Webster-At-Rye c. 1999.
DEATH NOTICES
Obituaries
Portsmouth Herald (N.H.), Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Evelyn A. Squire
RYE — Evelyn A. Squire, 96, of 795 Washington Road, formerly of North Hampton and Hampton, died Monday, March 18, 2002, at Webster at Rye.A direct descendant of one of the five families who founded Hampton, she was born in North Hampton on July 10, 1905, the daughter of the late Charles W. and Sarah E. (Taylor] Philbrick. She was a graduate of Hampton Academy with the Class of 1924 and Portsmouth Normal School. She worked as a schoolteacher at the Center School in Hampton from 1924 to 1938, where she was known as Miss Philbrick.
She lived in North Hampton for many years, moving to Hampton in 1975 and to Webster at Rye in 1995.
She was the wife of the late George E. Squire, who died in 1964.
Family members include one daughter, Betsey A. Davis of Hampton; three grandchildren, Daniel P. Lamie and his wife, Denise, of Kingston, Christopher T. Lamie and his wife, Jennifer, of Hampton, and Susan D. Lamie and her husband, Steven; one great granddaughter Sarah Lamie of Hampton; and one great- niece.
SQUIRE — Evelyn A. Squire, 96, of Rye, died Monday, March 18, 2002. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday in the Center Cemetery, North Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, donations may be made to the N.H. SPCA, P.O. Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.
HAMPTON — The funeral for Evelyn A. Philbrick Squire, 96, of Rye, and formerly of North Hampton and Hampton, who died March 18, 2002, was held Thursday from the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, followed by a graveside service in the Center Cemetery, North Hampton. Mrs. Squires was a direct descendant of one of the five families who founded Hampton. Evelyn A. Squire
The Rev. Carroll Moore, pastor of the United Methodist Church officiated. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Davis, Martin Aronson and four of Mrs. Squire’s former students including, A. Samuel Hoyt, Harold Fernald, John Holman and Dave Colt. A memorial service was also conducted by the Rev. Moore on Friday at Webster at Rye. Words of remembrance were offered by family and friends.
In Memoriam
Evelyn A. Squire Prelude John Holman Welcome & Invocation Rev. Carroll Moore
Hampton's United Methodist Church
Hymn
FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy,
When e'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee 'til death.
Remembrances
Hymn
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Prayer
Hymn
IN THE GARDEN
(1) I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear,
Falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
(2) I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
He bids me go through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain:
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
The Twenty-Third Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pasture;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Benediction
Postlude