Ethel Phillips

Ethel Bernice Phillips, formerly of Rockwood Manor in Spokane, died peacefully in Bremerton on November 14, 2006. She had resided with wonderful care at Marine Courte Memory Care in Bremerton since January 2005. Her son and daughter-in-law, Dan & Diane Phillips reside in Manchester. She is also survived by her granddaughter Tara Phillips of Seattle. Son Richard Wilson Phillips resides in Spokane. Ethel was born September 2, 1912 in Judith Gap, Montana; her father Ora Wilson was a bartender in Belt and Great Falls, Montana, then a silver miner in Kellogg, Idaho. Her mother, Thea, took in boarders. She graduated from Kellogg High School in 1930. The family moved to Spokane where she attended Kinman Business College. The Wilson family lived at W2118 Maxwell in Spokane where Ethel fell in love with the "boy across the street" at W2117, a William Phillips. They married September 10, 1939 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage together in Spokane. Bill formed a partnership with Graham Larsen as Larsen and Associates Fine Furniture in downtown Spokane, next to the Ridpath Hotel. Bill and Ethel enjoyed a career together as owners until they retired some 25 years ago. They set about enjoying retirement with many couples. They had bridge clubs, dance clubs, theater groups, international vacationing groups, and their float house parties on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Taking their 18' Century boat to visit friends on the lake was a great outing. Ethel and Bill loved their retirement years with friends! Even into her 90's, Ethel still enjoyed her PEO club members and activities. Ethel lived through the depression years working at Grand Coulee Dam for the hospital there and continuing as a Secretary in Spokane. She worked for attorneys Maury Cooper and Richard Richard in Spokane. She and Bill were charter members of the Audubon Park Methodist Church and remained members for some 50 years. The family home was N5333 Fairmount Place before moving to Rockwood Manor. Mother loved music all her years. In 1956, while we drove down Wellesley, she heard Elvis Presley was performing live that night at Albi Football Stadium. Two hours later, all four of us were watching Elvis and his new Rock n' Roll music! Hawaiian vacations on Kauai were a favorite for Ethel and Bill yearly starting in 1973. Kauai Kailani and the Mokihana were Island Homes away from home. Richard, Dan, Diane, Jeff and Tara would visit at Christmas to share in the "Mele Kalikimaka" spirit. Lloyd and Wyla Headley would visit Bill and Ethel in the Islands in the winter. When summer arrived, they would all join together at Lake Coeur d'Alene. At the lake, Walt and Clara Davis also shared 15 years of fun and friendship as their houseboat neighbors. Ethel cherished these memories over the years. Her family will miss her yet will smile at the many memories and special times shared! Ethel loved her family, friends and extended family. Many have already passed on to Heaven; her sister Marjorie and husband Bud Benjamin; her husband Bill Phillips and grandson Jeff Phillips; brother and sister-in-laws Chan & Catherine Renner, George & Roberta Phillips, and Hazen Phillips. She is survived by extended family Madeline Phillips, sister-in-law; nieces and nephews Linda Benjamin Thiringer of Spokane; George & Jim Renner of Deerlake, John Phillips of Pasco, Kathy Phillips of Davenport, Raymond Phillips of Seattle, and Frank Phillips of Renton, and their families. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 11:00 am at the Audubon Park Methodist Church, 3708 N Driscoll Blvd in Spokane, Washington. Private inurnment at Riverside Cemetery in the Phillips family plots. Remembrances can be made to her grandson Jeff Phillips Fund, c/o Kitsap Community Foundation, P.O. Box 487, Manchester, WA 98353. Fund contributions benefit Juvenile Diabetes.