Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKPORT – Ida Mae Philbrook Hupper, 85, died with her loving family by her side, Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the Sussman House, following a brief illness.
Born at Tenants Harbor in St. George on the Wallston Road, November 17, 1929, she was the daughter of Wesley L. and Lena Morris Mills.
She attended school at the St. George School in Tenants Harbor. From sub-primary to grade 12, all in one building. She graduated in June, 1948.
Growing up on the Wallston Road, she was very busy with outside activities and skating, swimming in the St. George River and sliding on all the hills. She mowed lawns with her sister, Grace for the elderly ladies, weeded their gardens, played cards with them, worked in the family garden and even helped her father shingle the roof of their home. When she was old enough, she raked blueberries and worked at the Port Clyde Sardine factory. After graduation she moved to Rockland and worked at J.J. Newberry’s 5 & 10.
She married Sumner Philbrook, Sr. of Rockland on September 30, 1948. They made their home in Rockland, raising four children and later started a floor covering and cleaning business in their home. She did the bookkeeping and also helped with the carpet cleaning.
A longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Rockland, she was very active on the boards and committees, taught Sunday school for 40 years, was a Guide in the Pioneer Girls Group and many other programs the church had. Sumner passed away on February 8, 2007. They were married 58 years.
On September 6, 2008, she married Walter L. Hupper from Port Clyde. Walter was a classmate all through high school and a good friend. They made their home in Port Clyde where Walter lived and was a lobsterman. She once made the remark that she had made a full circle, from Tenants Harbor to Rockland and then back to Port Clyde. She attended Port Clyde Baptist Church and made many friends while living there.
She enjoyed working in the vegetable and flower gardens with Walter; that he had for many years. Also going out on the lobster boat with him. It was so beautiful out on the water. Walter passed away February 26, 2013.
Besides Sumner and Walter, Mrs. Hupper was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Frances Philbrook and Grace Conway and their husbands Roland Philbrook and Douglas Conway, Sr., brother, Lewis Arthur Mills, Sr. and brothers-in-law, Claude Farmer and James York. Survivors include two sisters, Pearl Farmer of Winder, GA, and Elsie York of Rockland; three sons, Sumner J. Philbrook, Jr. and his wife Glenys of Gorham, Ronald W. Philbrook and his wife Joyce of Owls Head, Todd M. Philbrook and his wife Michelle of Rockland; one daughter Lori Philbrook Maxwell and her husband David of Rockport; five step-children, Janet Dailey and her husband Dale of Brunswick, Cynthia Hupper-Jacobo and her husband Faustino of North Port, FL, Deborah Arnett and her husband Earl of Tenants Harbor, Charles Hupper and his wife Mary of Southington, CT, Katrina Morehouse and her husband Bob of South Thomaston; grandchildren, Carrie Tessier and her husband Jason, Byron Philbrook, Jason Philbrook and his wife Kristen, Rosalie Sullivan, Annah Sullivan and Nathan Philbrook; great-grandchildren, Makenzie Tessier, Kelly Tessier, Carson Philbrook, Logan Philbrook; many nieces, nephews and cousins. The grandchildren called her Grammie but grandson Nathan always called her Mammie. Wanting to tell her own story, Ida Mae authored this story of her life.
Those who wish may make memorial donations to Rockport Fire Dept., P. O. Box 142, Rockport, ME 04856, or the Sussman House, 40 Anchor Drive, Rockport, ME 04856.
Her family would like to thank Pen Bay Medical Center, doctors, nurses and staff as well as Quarry Hill. A huge thank you to the Sussman House for all their wonderful services and care.
Family services are private. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
To share a memory or story with Mrs. Philbrook's family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.