Maryanne Ford Phillips' Obituary
Maryanne Ford Phillips, age 82, of Lewes, DE, formerly of Downingtown, PA, passed peacefully surrounded by family on October 11, 2022. Born in Philadelphia, PA on February 22, 1940, to Anna and John Ford, she was the youngest sister to John Ford Jr., Katherine Ford Carroll, Frank Ford, and Richard Ford.
Maryanne attended West Chester Teacher’s College where she met her husband, Donald Phillips. She graduated with an Education Degree and later completed a Master’s Degree Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Maryanne married Don in June 1967, and both worked in education, spending most of their careers in the Downingtown School District. She taught English at Downingtown Junior High School while living in a beloved 1700s farmhouse that she and Don meticulously restored. Maryanne retired in 1999 to join her husband in his retirement and fulfill a longtime goal of moving to the beach. Maryanne loved her new hometown of Lewes, DE, and created a close-knit circle of local friends who became like family to her. She loved to go antiquing and, together with Don, built a warm, welcoming home to host family and friends.
Maryanne was a long-standing member and lector at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes. She stayed busy in retirement serving, at various times, as a CASA Volunteer or as a docent for the Lewes Historical Society. Her part-time job at an antiques showroom was within walking distance, and she loved downtown Lewes. For years, she worked at Cadbury (now The Moorings) at Lewes in the Sales and Design Center and then as a receptionist once it opened.
Maryanne was an avid reader and decorator, easily logged thousands of miles walking daily throughout Lewes and Rehoboth and loved to travel. She enjoyed museum exhibits, house and garden tours, flower shows, historical sites, playing bridge, mahjong, and dominoes, completing puzzles, watching travel documentaries, and going to the theater to see movies. Most of all, though, she cherished spending time with family and friends. Loved by many, Maryanne will be deeply and genuinely missed by all who had the good fortune to know her.
She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Don Phillips. Maryanne is survived by her daughter, Allison Phillips Carbo and son-in-law, Vince Carbo of Lancaster, PA; and her son, Ford Phillips and daughter-in-law, Debbie O’Neil Phillips of Springfield, VA; her grandchildren: Olivia Carbo, Ford Phillips, Jr., Delaney Carbo, and Cade Phillips are a much-loved testament to her legacy. The Phillipses and Carbos extend their heartfelt appreciation to Rita and John Murphy and Nichol and Ted Thomson for their close friendship and deep commitment as well as the outreach from so many other members of the Delaware branch of Maryanne’s “family”.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Maryanne's memory to the American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org/ .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 AM.
All who cannot attend in person are invited to view the Mass via live-stream by visiting www.YouTube.com and searching St. Jude Lewes.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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