Fairport, NY: Lucie Ann Johnson Phillips was born June 24, 1921, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the youngest daughter of George Wiley Johnson and Nellie Gaile Williams Johnson. Her grandparents lived in West Lafayette, Indiana, and some of her favorite memories were of the times spent with them there.
During her childhood and teenage years she, her sister, and parents moved several times. She always made a point to say that over these years she learned to make new friends quickly, adapt to new surroundings, and to always have a positive attitude. Throughout her entire lifetime that ability to adapt and make friends never changed.
After graduating from high school in Buffalo, NY, she went on to Purdue where she, like her mother and sister, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. While back in Buffalo for a visit she met and married Kingsley Garrett Phillips and began an adventure that lasted a lifetime.
She and King moved to Rochester NY and built a home in Penfield where they raised their 4 daughters and a son. She was at his side while he spent evenings finishing their house: laying tongue and groove pegged oak floors, building cabinets and furniture, remodeling the attic as their family grew to accommodate their four girls. He built 2 boats in the basement which necessitated the construction of an egress to get them out. They always had a plan.
In 1955 during a vacation in Canada, they visited friends who had a summer cottage in Ontario. She immediately fell in love with the lake and asked if there was anything for sale nearby. There was, and they bought it almost sight unseen. That began another labor of love that lasts until this day.
When their youngest started school, she began working for the Penfield Central School District first as a secretary to a principal and later in the library at Bay Trail Junior High. She retired in 1981. She left many dear friends there but their friendships never ended and when she was able, she went to monthly breakfasts with them and, if she was in town, didn’t miss their annual picnics.
In the mid 1960s she and King purchased property in the Dutch West Indies and started planning their retirement. Following that purchase and over a period of approximately a year, they assembled all the materials needed to build their home: literally everything that was needed to build the home, power it and fence it in. Then they had a Sea Land container delivered to their driveway, loaded it and shipped everything by truck and container ship to the island. Just the transportation of the materials was an adventure itself. After Lucie and son, Jeff, saw to it that all was delivered to Statia, King and his brother-in-law arrived and they all finished the building in 6 weeks with additional help from local craftsmen, all of whom remained good friends.
Lucie was predeceased by her husband Kingsley, her daughter, Christine Phillips Wilterdink and her granddaughter, Shiloh Krest. She spoke of King and how much she missed him every day. She is survived by her children Kathleen Phillips Glen (William), Julie Phillips, Emily Phillips Johnson, Jeffrey Tyler Phillips (Sarah), her son-in-law Steve Wilterdink, her grandchildren Jeremy Glen (Jenn), Matthew Glen (Tracy), Willow Barnett, Caitlin Wilterdink, Christine Filippelli (Matt), Benjamin Miller (Veronica), Blake Phillips (Melissa), Jeffrey Tyler Phillips, Jr. and 10 great-grandchildren.
She passed away on October 11, 2020, at Highland Hospital after a short illness. There are no words to convey how much she will be missed. She was well known for her laugh, sense of humor that she kept until the end of her life, her love of her friends and most of all her love for her children and her entire family. She saw the beauty in everything.
Lastly our thanks to all the staff and Boss Man at Elderwood Fairport for the care she received for almost four years.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Penfield, the American Indian College Fund or a charity of your choice.
I knew Lucie for many many years as my Mother and I were both Thetas at Purdue. I thought she had moved away as her name was not on the list I got from National Theta in 2017. I remember her so well and the many good laughs we had together. I am so sorry I lost touch with her and of course so sad to hear of her passing.
Thank you so much for your comments. While going through her papers we found notes that mother had written describing her two years at Purdue and rushing for Theta- she had so much fun there and she met her best friend here in Rochester through Theta. It meant a lot to her. We miss her terribly but are comforted knowing she’s happy now with Kingsley. She had a great life.
Emily, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a lovely lady, and I can still remember her wonderful laugh. May God comfort you and your family at this difficult time.
Emily (& Family)…I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. She was such a breath of fresh air & I enjoyed being around her.
May her memory be Eternal. Love you