Margery Elise Robinson Phillips

1916 - 2014

Margery Elise Robinson Phillips

Margery passed away peacefully at Horizon House on May 4, 2014 at the age of 97 with her family by her bedside.

A Seattle native, Margery was born on July 31, 1916 at Swedish Hospital, the first and only child of Joseph Herbert and Ida Katherine Seecamp Robinson. After surviving a near fatal case of typhoid fever as an infant, Margery set out on an exciting and productive and seemingly tireless life as a student, mother, professional writer, business woman, and a community volunteer and leader.

Growing up at the foot of Madison Street, she attended McGilvra Elementary and Broadway High School. Her natural leadership showed early on as she served on the Girls Club Cabinet and was elected President of the All City YWCA High School Students and President of the Promenaders Social Group. Her emerging talent as an artist was recognized when she won a national contest for a pen and ink drawing of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Balancing scholarship and leadership with time for play, her summers were spent playing tennis and swimming - often trying to keep pace with champion Helene Madison in swims across Lake Washington.

At the University of Washington she was very active in several groups: Alpha Phi Sorority where she ultimately was elected Chapter President in 1937, Mortar Board, Totem Club, PanHellenic Board, and Lambda Rho, Art Honorary. She served as Assistant Standards Chairman for the university and was also on the campus YMCA Cabinet. While majoring in Interior Design, she was Fashion Editor for the University of Washington monthly magazine, The Columns. She won an international competition in Interior Design sponsored by James Blauvelt Studio of New York City. As handy with a rifle as with a paint brush, she excelled on the Husky National Rifle Team. The bulls-eye riddled targets she produced while on that team served her father well when he posted them to warn off labor organizers who wanted to control the apprentice employees of his Robinson Machine and Gear Works business.

After graduating from the University in 1938 she married John Otis Phillips, a fellow Husky, who while President of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, named her Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Following graduation, they each began their careers, he as an architect with Stoddard-Huggard Architects, and she as Home Editor for the Seattle Post Intelligencer. It was in her position as Fashion Editor for The Columns that she came to the attention of Anna Roosevelt Boettiger, who invited her to the PI position. During her early years at the PI she often modeled for its fashion features.

Their first child, Margery Anne, was born at Swedish Hospital in 1942. Shortly thereafter, John was called to duty in WWII, serving in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. During the war, Margery was also in uniform doing her part driving for the Motor Corps, sometimes transporting blood to hospitals at high speed under police escort and other times taking recovering veterans to USO sponsored events. She also traveled around the country to join John as he completed officer training at several naval bases.

She sustained her loyalty to the Alpha Phi Sorority and served as District Governor. During the 1940's while serving as Director of Extension on the Executive Board, she was instrumental in founding seven Northwest collegiate chapters. An Alpha Phi historian dubbed her "Mother of Alpha Phi Expansion."

Daughter, Sarah Katherine, was born in 1947 and son, Lawrence Robinson, in 1951, both Swedish Hospital babies. In order to have a flexible schedule and dedicate time to family and community, Margery chose to be a freelance journalist. During her 35 year career she was Home Fashion Editor for the Seattle Times and Northwest Editor for many national magazines. Writing several weekly by-line articles, she was highly influential in popularizing quality Pacific Northwest residential design. During her 25 year career with The Times, she was consistently recognized as the most popular feature writer among women readers. She was most proud of being named in 1994 an Honorary Member of the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, in large part for originating and sustaining the Seattle Times/AIA Home of the Month program and for writing many feature articles about interior design and residential architecture.

She was a Director and organizer of Fashion Group of Seattle. Between 1956 and 1976, she served as Press Associate for the American Institute of Interior Designers and for the National Society of Interior Designers.

While raising her family and working, her diverse interests were fulfilled by volunteer service and leadership roles in The Seattle Milk Fund, Town & Country Circle, The DePaul and Mount St. Vincent Board of Advisors and The Mary Myers Guild of Children's Orthopedic Hospital. She also served on many Boards including: Children's Orthopedic Junior Board, University of Washington Alumnae Board, and the Northwest Ornamental Horticultural Board. She served as Chair of the Special Events Committee of the Washington Athletic Club Advisory Board and was elected as its Chairman in 1971.

After retirement from freelance journalism, her energy was redirected to new endeavors. She formed a business acquiring and managing real estate holdings, traveled extensively, played a little golf and returned to painting, taking art classes at the Women's University Club. Her commitment to community did not fade as she was appointed to serve on King County Landmarks Commission by King County Executive Randy Revelle and to the Washington State Advisory Board for Historic Preservation by both Governor Booth Gardner and Governor Mike Lowry.

Margery moved to Horizon House in 1995 in time to celebrate her 80th birthday, pursue her passion for bridge with gusto, and participate in many cultural events.

Her contributions to the community through work and volunteerism were recognized when she was named to the Broadway High School Hall of Fame in 1997 and as a History Maker by the Museum of History and Industry in 1998.

Margery was preceded in death by her two husbands John Otis Philips, Jr. and Russell W. Young. She is survived by her two daughters; Anne Williams (Don) and Sarah Phillips; her son, Larry Phillips (Gail); her grandchildren, Jack Bennett, Jr. (Shelley), Beth McDonald (Scott) and Brett Phillips; great grandchildren Tiffany Kasdorf (Derek), Samantha McDonald, John Bennett, Emma Bennett, and Susanne Bennett; and great, great grandson Joseph Kasdorf.

If you wish to make a charitable contribution in Margery's name, please consider: Washington Mortar Board Alumni/Tolo Foundation Scholarships Margery R. Phillips Scholarship in Architecture, Alpha Phi Foundation, Museum of History And Industry (MOHAI), and/ or Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation.

The family gives heartfelt thanks to Margery's caregiver Pat Kyle as well as the staff of Horizon House, especially those who provided such loving care to her while in Supported Living.

A private family service will be held at Margery's final place of rest at Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington in June.

A Celebration of Margery's Life will be held in July at Horizon House in Seattle, Washington.

What an inspiration Margery has been to family, friends and community. Her pride in family, dedication to community, and "can-do, let's get going" attitude will be sorely missed.

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