Obituary of Barbara P. Phillips

Barbara (“Bobbi”) Pope Phillips

2.24.1945 – 11.14.2019

Bobbi was born in Flushing, NY to Claire Hoenig and Charles R. Pope.  She graduated from Greenwich High School in Connecticut in 1962 and the University of Connecticut, School of Nursing in 1966. 

Bobbi’s nursing career started in the U.S. Army.  While receiving some Army training in Texas, Bobbi met her beloved husband Michael C. Phillips. She was then stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where she spent time in the coronary care unit. During her years there, Bobbi helped care for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Justice William O. Douglas.

Once discharged from the Army and settled in Morris County NJ, Bobbi worked as a nurse at Overlook Hospital and County College of Morris. After she retired from nursing, she spent roughly twenty years working as a sales consultant for the Carlisle Collection.

Bobbi’s true passion, however, was volunteerism. She devoted much of her free time to: the Junior League of Morristown, where she was a member and past president; the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center, where she was a member, served on the board and chaired two Mansions in May; and the P.G. Chambers School, where she also served on the board.

In addition to her dedication to helping others, Bobbi’s favorite hobbies were cooking and entertaining. Bobbi loved to be surrounded by her friends and family over a good meal. She always had a love for animals, especially her pets, as well as music and the church choir later in life.

She is survived by: her spouse Michael C. Phillips of New Vernon, NJ; son Michael C. Phillips Jr. of Madison, NJ; daughter Melissa Phillips De Vries and son-in-law Derek De Vries of Riverside, CT; Grandchildren Kelly and Cuyler Phillips and Connor and Taylor De Vries; and brother, Richard M. Pope of Great Barrington, MA.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday November 22 at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon.  In lieu of flowers, donations to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement https://thewomensalzheimersmovement.org/ or Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center https://www.wammc.org/ would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements were under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison.