Marie Claire Phillips, international traveler, house building wife, 4H mother, cookie baking grandmother and entrepreneur, lived a full life of 95 happy years. Born in San Diego April 16,1924, to Ellen Hastings and James Hamilton, Marie was a self-described United States Navy brat, living in China and the Philipines, attending 24 schools to get her high school diploma, and from there becoming a Winnie-the-Welder in the shipyards.
In 1946, Marie married Melvin Phillips and the city girl moved to Cinebar. There, she enjoyed many happy years with Mel, their son, Glenn, their hay crew and later, their daughter-in-law, Judy and two grandchildren, Summer and Shannon. Mel and Marie had a rich social life filled with friends and neighbors and sometimes enjoyed a little toot with a lot of laughter. To their friends, they were known as the Mayor and the Queen of Cinebar.
Marie enjoyed sewing, crafting, camping, clam digging and was an avid Seahawks and Mariners fan. If her hands weren’t busy with fabric, they were snapping beans or sorting berries. She also began her own business, The Phillips Farm Factory and provided upholstery services for the community. After a lifetime filled with hard work, fun, family and friends, Marie passed away peacefully in her family’s home in Onalaska Jan. 3, 2020.
A celebration of life potluck will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Shoestring Valley Community Church and graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, in the Shoestring Cemetary. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that donations be made to Cinebar, Salkum or Onalaska Fire Departments.
