Megan Frances Philip

Megan Frances Philip was born at Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, New York, on September 8, 1983. She weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches long. Her mother and father always believed that 7 pounds indicated "God's perfect number." She was a perfect little baby who had been prayed for by her parents for five long years. She was their little miracle.

She grew quickly and soon began kindergarten at Kings Way Christian Academy in Corning, New York. She later transferred to Hope Christian Academy in Painted Post, New York, for the remainder of her elementary years. She again transferred to Northside Blodget School in Corning and then onto Corning West High, where she was a senior.

Megan had a love for hairdressing and was pursuing a career in this field at the B.O.C.E. education center in Coopers Plains, New York, where she achieved high honor status. She loved cutting and styling other's hair, as well as their make-up, and would have continued her education in either New York City or California.

Besides hairdressing, Megan had an interest in modeling, ballet, singing, photography, and theater. She had one modeling experience with the Crystal Tattoo Company. She attended church and related youth group's activities at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Gang Mills, New York. She loved her youth-group friends and her youth pastor dearly. She loved to talk about the Lord and she was always searching and hungry for information about the things and ways of God. She enjoyed summers swimming, sunbathing, and spending time with her cousins at Lamoka Lake.

At the time of her death, she had been dating a young man named Tom, whom she loved very much.

Megan had become a vegetarian and animal rights activist. She had a love for panda bears and butterflies. She was so full of life; always smiling a smile that could light up a room.

She was extremely outgoing and had many, many friends. Her friends were her whole world. In fact, she would buy each and every one of them Christmas presents each year. The whole community was saddened by her death. She went home to be with the Lord on January 28, 2001, as the result of a tragic, single car accident. When Megan "went home", her family's home was filled with people. The funeral parlor was full and over-flowing for the viewing and the next day's funeral. She is buried at the Coopers Plains Cemetery.

Megan is survived by her mother and father, Kathleen Huey and Francis Philip; her step-father and step-mother, Bill Huey and Teresa Philip; half-sisters, Tiffany and Rachelle Philip; step-sisters, Karena (Huey) Smith, Danielle Huey, and Amber (Huey) Buckley; step-grandmother, Dorothy Huey; grandfathers, Frederick L. Stone and Francis A. Philip I; as well as several loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, all whom she loved, she especially her cousin, Katie. Her Aunt Judy gave her the nickname "Megpie" that most of her family called her.

Her parents have always considered her as a precious gift from God - His child lent to them for a season. She brought them much happiness and joys, and taught them many lessons on life. Her tombstone reads the following poem:

I am not there, I do not sleep
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint in the snow
I am the sunlight on a ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
A am the soft star that shined at night
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there
I did not die
Meg