Obituary for Madge Marie Phillips
Madge Marie Phillips, 93, most recently of West Hartford, CT passed away peacefully at the Hughes Health & Rehabilitation Center in West Hartford on Friday, July 20, 2018. She was born on March 29, 1925 in DuBois, PA, the daughter of the late Alice Mae Phillips. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Keuka College in NY. Her time there sparked a lifelong love, admiration, respect and support for Keuka College. She earned her Master of Science in Physical Education from Wellesley College in MA and her PhD in Physical Education from the University of Iowa. Madge spent her professional life fulfilling her passion for education by teaching Graduate level courses and working in the administration at: Grinnell College (Iowa), University of California (Santa Barbara), Washington State University, University of Nebraska and University of Tennessee (the last two where she was the Director of the School of Health and Physical Education). She was noted as a Chairwoman and Director of many PhD dissertations, many of which were published. She also was proud of adding Dance Major programs in both Nebraska and Tennessee. Madge earned too many awards to list.
Madge worked tirelessly, alongside other leaders of her era, doing the difficult work to endorse Title IX (equality for women in sports) and equal rights for women, in general. She felt fortunate to have known, and collaborated with, many of the leaders of these causes. She remembered the difficult balance needed by women of that time to work to maintain the responsibilities of their professions as well as taking the time needed to work toward equality for all, regardless of their gender, race, etc. She fought against prejudice of all kinds. She worked for the humanity and dignity of ALL people and tried to encourage the “underdogs”. She retired in 1985, at age 60, having changed the world! Truth-be-told, she later lamented having moved away from teaching and into university level administration during her career, as she always felt that her true passion was in the classroom.
Madge leaves behind a legacy of genuine caring for all her friends. She was blessed to have had many, many good friends. She could connect with people regardless of their intellectual abilities, sports of choice, culture, or economic situation. She was proud that her friends represented a true cross section of society. This was especially poignant given the era that she lived most of her life in. She was a voracious reader. She loved to listen to music, especially classical and jazz. She loved art, whether it was the collection or the creation of it, although she felt that she was much more adept at the former than the latter. She spent most of her retirement living in North Kingstown, RI, while spending as many winters as possible in Sanibel, FL. Living by the ocean, in both of these locations, fostered a love of the ocean that she took to her last day. Madge adored good conversation and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was a true lady, but was a fun-loving woman who was partial to a good pun. She was a devout Northern Baptist and felt lucky to have the love and support of the Baptist Church of Wickford in North Kingstown, RI. She is survived by her best friend and roommate of 30+ years, Eleanor (Ellie) Lemaire and her cousin, Carol Shannon of DuBois, PA and many more cousins and friends. Ellie will oversee her cremation. Plans for a private memorial service will be organized this year.
If Madge had any regrets it would be that she wasn’t more active in politics. Toward the end of her life, she expressed fear at the direction that our country was taking. She wanted to encourage everyone, especially young people, to stand up for their beliefs. This would be a good way to honor Madge, and those like her, who fought the good fight for what is right. You too can change the world!
Madge worked tirelessly, alongside other leaders of her era, doing the difficult work to endorse Title IX (equality for women in sports) and equal rights for women, in general. She felt fortunate to have known, and collaborated with, many of the leaders of these causes. She remembered the difficult balance needed by women of that time to work to maintain the responsibilities of their professions as well as taking the time needed to work toward equality for all, regardless of their gender, race, etc. She fought against prejudice of all kinds. She worked for the humanity and dignity of ALL people and tried to encourage the “underdogs”. She retired in 1985, at age 60, having changed the world! Truth-be-told, she later lamented having moved away from teaching and into university level administration during her career, as she always felt that her true passion was in the classroom.
Madge leaves behind a legacy of genuine caring for all her friends. She was blessed to have had many, many good friends. She could connect with people regardless of their intellectual abilities, sports of choice, culture, or economic situation. She was proud that her friends represented a true cross section of society. This was especially poignant given the era that she lived most of her life in. She was a voracious reader. She loved to listen to music, especially classical and jazz. She loved art, whether it was the collection or the creation of it, although she felt that she was much more adept at the former than the latter. She spent most of her retirement living in North Kingstown, RI, while spending as many winters as possible in Sanibel, FL. Living by the ocean, in both of these locations, fostered a love of the ocean that she took to her last day. Madge adored good conversation and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was a true lady, but was a fun-loving woman who was partial to a good pun. She was a devout Northern Baptist and felt lucky to have the love and support of the Baptist Church of Wickford in North Kingstown, RI. She is survived by her best friend and roommate of 30+ years, Eleanor (Ellie) Lemaire and her cousin, Carol Shannon of DuBois, PA and many more cousins and friends. Ellie will oversee her cremation. Plans for a private memorial service will be organized this year.
If Madge had any regrets it would be that she wasn’t more active in politics. Toward the end of her life, she expressed fear at the direction that our country was taking. She wanted to encourage everyone, especially young people, to stand up for their beliefs. This would be a good way to honor Madge, and those like her, who fought the good fight for what is right. You too can change the world!