Dorothy Roubik Phillips
Dorothy Roubik Phillips was born on July 27, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Edward Roubik and Bessie Zajic Roubik. She died on March 24, 2009 in Des Moines, Washington, at the age of 89. She is survived by her five children: Kenneth Phillips Kathy Conlan, Thomas Phillips Michele Domash, Christine Chadeayne Bob, Claudia Hawney Wayne, and Cheryl Mosteller; six grandchildren, Kevin Phillips, Karen Phillips, Brandon Wilson, Brent Wilson, Stephanie Hawney, and Maiya Mosteller; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Phillips, Dylan Phillips, and Tyler Wilson. She was laid to rest next to her late husband Vernon in a private ceremony at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Federal Way, Washington on March 28, 2009.
After graduating from the University of Illinois, Dorothy moved to New York City to teach at the Katherine Gibbs Academy. It was there that she met a soldier named Vernon Phillips. They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on December 18, 1943. After World War II, they returned to Seattle where they lived briefly in South Park before building their family home in Gregory Heights.
As an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Seahurst, Dorothy served on the Parish Council and was active in the Ladies’ Sodality and St. Joan of Arc Circle. All of her children attended the parish school which she helped found in the early 1950’s.
Dorothy was an avid bridge player, an expert knitter and quilter, and world traveler. Her Saturday evenings were often spent hosting or attending various bridge clubs. Her adventuresome spirit was kindled by her family’s summer road trips from Chicago in the late 1920s, visiting places like Pikes Peak and Mt. Rainier. She and Vernon visited a total of 75 countries, traveling by airplane and freighter, and toured all 50 states of the Union in their motor home
She outlived most of those who knew her, and will be missed by those who remain. We will remember her charm and bright spirit and her passion for family and friends. The family wishes any remembrances to be sent to Saint Francis of Assisi School Campaign, P.O. Box 870, Seahurst, WA 98062 where a memorial has been established in the name of Dorothy R. Phillips.
Dear Christine, Kathy, and all members of the Phillips Family, with sympathy and friendship the Sisters of the Holy Names share in the loss of your mother and mother-in-law, Dorothy. She has reached the fulfillment of her life of Faith. May Dorothy be near you to share her love and joy.
Dear Tom and family –
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. My thoughts and prayers are you you and your family. May the memories of your Mother help you thorough this time.
Peace and take care – Sincerely – Janice Lonergan SSCC
I just learned of Dorothy’s passing today. In my youth, she was a second mother to me. She touched my heart and mind in ways only a mother can and I am the man I am today because of her influence and guidance. I will always hold her in the highest regard.
It has to be wonderful to know that you were loved by such a delightful and gracious woman.
Gary
Vern and I were good friends dating back to the early days of WWII at Fort Monmouth, N.J. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Dorothy and her wonderful family until many years later.
Among the happy memories that come to mind were trips through the Cascades with Vern and Dorothy in their motor home and later, sailing on Puget Sound with her, Ken, Tom and their spouses. Another highlight was our trip to Rome and Tuscany with my daughter and her husband. A delightful time, except for the last day when Dorothy suffered an accidental fall in Assisi. She showed her true colors on the nine hour flight back from Rome to Philadelphia, though she had to be in constant pain.
My family and I always will remember her with respect and affection. All of us extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
John Scanlon
Emmaus, PA
Dear Phillips family,
Being the eldest of the Boroughs kids my memories are more of playing in the “dead end” of 169th Place…in the early days when there were still woods and lots of places to explore on our bikes. We called it “Roman Road” because the majority of families were Catholic. I was always in “awe” that your Dad had a ham radio in the basement and could speak to people all over the world!
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayer as you celebrate your Mom’s great life.
Dear Ken, Tom, Cris, Claudia, Cheri, and your spouses and children,
I join the rest of my family in extending prayerful condolences to all of you as you celebrate Dorothy’s life and send her home to God today. Dorothy was a very dear friend to both of our parents, and more of an aunt to us than neighbor. At Christmas, my brother, Ken, and I enjoyed a quiet visit with Dorothy. While she could only smile at us, we reminisced with her over our 57 year family friendship. Needless to say, stories from Gregory Heights and St. Francis of Assisi parish figured prominently in our memories. Dorothy was a woman of deep Faith, remarkable generosity, contagious laughter, and artistic creativity. I remembered Dorothy and all of you at Mass on Thursday here at Georgetown and will celebrate Mass for her this afternoon at the same time as you are gathering at Gethsemane. I’m glad to know that just as Dorothy and Vernon were our close neighbors and good friends for so many years, they and our parents are neighbors again at Gethsemane.
Blessings to you all,
Phil
We first met Dorothy and Vern in 1991, after we had heard about them for years from our father, John Scanlon, who had served in WWII with Vern.
We felt an instant kinship with them, and we felt like adopted family over the next 18 years. Vern, Dorothy, Bob and I went camping together in our motor homes and enjoyed the beauty of Mount Rainier and its wonderful hikes. Since we, too, were world travelers, we swapped stories about our adventures trekking in remote parts of the globe.
Dorothy came and visited us in Florida, and we spent many wonderful times with her in Seattle on our way to Canada every summer.
Dorothy always had a smile on her face and a kind word about everyone she met. I felt that she was a truly spiritual being who loved life.
Her creativity was evident all over her lovely home, in her gardens and with her amazing quilts and knitted creations. The quilt she gave us has a place of honor in our home and will remind us of her for many years to come.
We had the pleasure of also getting to know Dorothy and Vern’s children, and we formed a special relationship with Tom and Michele.
We took great pleasure in the comfort our dad and Dorothy found in each other’s friendship after the death of their respective spouses.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all of Dorothy’s family.
We will miss her.
Love, Bonnie Gadless and Bob Scanlon
Paul and I had many camping trips with Vern and Dorthy. We were glad to share our canoe as they paddled on Lake Easton and Crescent Lake. Evenings, we played Bridge, each person contributed a quarter to the pot. When the Phillips won, Vern used his quarter as a golf ball marker. Dorthy didn’t hesitate to mention often that she had just saved twenty five cents by making the Smiths pay for her morning shower. Good Times: Happy Memories: They will be missed.
Paul and Marjorie Smith
I would like to share my condolences with your entire family on your mother’s passing. She was always very kind to us when we would be playing or visiting at the home while growing up. I know my mother, Tina, who played her share of card games with Dorothy will be saddened to hear of your loss. My best to all of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jim Ewart and Family
Dear Ken, Tom, Cris, Claudia and Cheri,
Oh, the times the Phillips and Boroughs families had together! Up at 169th Pl and at St Francis. The Christmases and Thanksgivings at each other homes. I’ll always remember Dorothy’s great laugh and her great love of family and friends. Her work on the start of the new school and of the new Parish Council at St. Francis, the St Joan of Arc Circle with my folks. Dorothy and my Mom and I going to the Seattle Rep plays together and discussing the play on our way home. To know Dorothy and Vern and family was to love them–and we still do. I know they are having a great party in Heaven right now.
Love and prayers, Shelagh
To all the Phillips Family – So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I think I last saw you all at your Dad’s funeral. Now our folks are next-door neighbors at Gethsemane. Lots of happy memories spent with our families over many holiday dinner tables. Thanksgiving at our house and Christmas at yours in the years when our older siblings were away at college or in the service. I remember a memorable Christmas 1974 when Santa brought me a new cassette tape recorder. We secretly taped the adults talking and joking. I don’t know what the joke was but your Mom had the punchline: “After you, Mrs. Boroughs!” and then laughed hysterically. We played that over and over again. I think I still have that tape!
Take care in these days ahead. Cris I hope you are on the mend.
I never had the chance to meet Dorothy, but know her son Tom and his wife Michelle and they are truly wonderful people. Tom talks so lovingly regarding his mom, and so I can only assume that her love and integrity contributed to her son being the fine person he is. Her spirit lives on in him and her other children.
Dorothy Philips has left this world a better place. I am proud to have her son, Tom, as a mentor and friend. One story I’d like to share is that when I first started working at the college with Tom who at that time was 50 years old 6’1†and over 200 lbs my mother who had played bridge with Dorothy back in the 50’s said, “Oh I think little Tommy Phillips works up at that college.†Thank you Dorothy for sharing Tom with us, who is not so little either in Stature or Soul!
Im richard and rosalie roubiks son i visited dorothy when i was very young and dorothy and vernon visited us in there motoor home once i remember going up in space needle my sister and parents have passed on i have three children was wondering where all there kids ended up im 62 years old now