Doris E. PHILLIPS

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. - Doris E. Phillips departed this life on Dec. 3, 2009.
She was one of four children and was born May 17, 1926, in Montclair, N.J., to the late Ernest and Minnie Otelia Wade.
She graduated from Huntington High School, class of 1943, and Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, class of 1947. Upon graduation from Hampton Institute, she moved to New York City, where she met her late husband, Marion Phillips. From that union , they were blessed with three children.
She taught at a private school in New York City before moving to the quiet suburbs of Long Island, where she taught pre-school, Kindergarten, First grade and special education classes. After a long and fulfilling career as an educator, Doris retired from the Amityville Public School System, where she served as a middle school guidance counselor. After retiring from teaching, her love for the theatre and performing often found her on stage as a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island. With her compassionate and giving spirit, Doris volunteered for over a decade in soup kitchens, working tirelessly to ensure that none of God's children would go hungry. As a member of Saint Mary's Church in Amityville, for nearly half a century, she taught Sunday school and stood as a ready and willing volunteer, where ever she was needed.
Doris was a member of the Kiwanis Club of North Amityville and served as the club treasurer for 20 years. She was active in the recruitment of young people to bring their talents, time and energies to the Kiwanis Club.
She is survived by her three children, Rita Francis of Saint Petersburg, Fla., William Phillips (Sonya) of Centreville, Va., and Michael Phillips (Lenora) of Huntington, N.Y.; sisters, Barbara Piggott of Newport News, Gwendolyn Ricks and Ann Knox, both of Hampton; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life was held in Amityville, N.Y. on Dec. 12, 2009. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.