Judie Phillips

Judie Phillips passed on October 12, 2013 after a ten year battle with breast cancer. You might find her now tending God’s rose garden. Born in Norfolk, Virginia on the first day of spring, March 20, 1940, to Cmdr. Charles Phillips, USN and his wife, June Neely Phillips.

Judie was a class officer and proud member of the first graduating class of Mercer Island High School in 1958. A graduate of the University of Washington in 1962, she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Judie worked at Frederick and Nelson Department Store for ten years, represented the University of Washington on their college fashion board and completed executive training to become an assistant buyer. She returned to school to earn a teaching certificate from Seattle University and later received a Master’s of Education degree in 1968. Twenty-eight years were spent teaching in Seattle Public Schools, including: R.H. Thomson, Catherine Blaine, and Ingraham High School. She belonged to The Junior Club of Seattle, was chairperson of the Seattle Symphony’s Symphonics, a member of the National Ski Patrol, an American Association of University Women board member in Anacortes, WA, and served on the board of the Skagit Valley Rhododendron Society Komo Kulshan. Judie was a member of the Woodinville Garden Club and her garden was featured on their 2005 tour.

An avid traveler which included dozens of cruises, numerous trips to the Kona coast of Hawaii, a camera safari to Africa, a flight to Paris on the Concord, and ending with an amazing trip around the world with National Geographic.

Roses were Judie’s passion. She was co-founder of the Skagit Valley Rose Society, past president of the Seattle Rose Society, and co-president of Heritage Roses NW. She was an American Rose Society Certified Horticulture Rose Judge and a Master Consulting Rosarian. Judie was honored by the Seattle Rose Society with a Bronze Medal Award for service, the American Rose Society gave her a Presidential Award of Merit, plus the Pacific Northwest District recognized her as the Outstanding Consulting Rosarian for the 2012 year.

At Judie’s request there will be no formal service. She will be laid to rest at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes, Washington with her parents, next to her grandparents, Lottie and Lee Neely, and near her Uncle Gene Neely.

Remembrances may be sent to Evergreen Hospice, Kirkland WA.