Ada Phillipson

Ada Eve Phillipson (Eve), 92, passed away on November 30, 2025, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Edina, Minnesota.

Eve was born April 23, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the daughter of Zoltan & Ada (Hackl) Sztankay. Eve's father, Zoltan Sztankay, was a Hungarian Diplomat and later became a political science professor at Valparaiso University. Because of her father's work, Eve spent her childhood in the United States and different European countries. Eve and her brother, Zoltan, were dual citizens of the United States and Hungary.

The family moved to the United States permanently after World War II and Eve's parents became United States citizens. The family settled in Valparaiso, Indiana when Eve was 15 years old.

Eve received her bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University, and married John Alton Williamson, a navy veteran from West Virginia. They had three children: John, Claudia, and Jim. Eve completed her master's degree in education from Valparaiso University in 1968. Eve enjoyed teaching first grade in Hobart, Indiana for 30 years.

Eve and John Williamson divorced in 1979. In 1981 Eve met Herbert E. Phillipson Jr. in South Bend at a Parents Without Partners dance. They danced all night together, immediately falling in love. They were married two months later, on July 5, 1981, in Dowagiac, Michigan. Herb Phillipson was Cass County Prosecutor, later serving as Cass County Juvenile and Probate Judge.

Herb was widowed from his first marriage to Dorothy Phillipson and they had three children: Richard, Jane, and Thomas. Besides their six children, Eve and Herb were also exchange student parents to Mario Marzani of Bergamo, Italy.

Eve and Herb were married for 29 years. They were enthusiastic travelers, sojourning to many different countries, always enjoying meeting people and experiencing each country's unique nature and culture. Eve and Herb were both avid gardeners and their Dowagiac home was always a gathering place for their family and many friends. Eve loved her family and being part of the Dowagiac community. She was a member of Alpha Upsilon Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She also enjoyed art, pottery, music, history, politics, nature, walking, reading and spending time with all her children and grandchildren.

Her loving family included her husband, Herbert Phillipson of Dowagiac 12/25/1923 – 09/27/2010; brother, Zoltan Sztankay and his wife Anda Sztankay; children John (Sue) Williamson of St Louis, MO, Claudia Callaghan of Minneapolis, MN, Jim Zoltan (Mina) Williamson of Fontana, CA, Richard (Anne Marie) Phillipson of Tucson, AZ, Jane Phillipson Wilson of Dowagiac, MI, Thomas (Margaret) Phillipson of Kalamazoo, MI, Mario Marzani and his wife Fiorenza of Bergamo, Italy; grandchildren, Zoltan Callaghan, Sara Callaghan, Orion Callaghan, James Williamson, Kate (Ivan) Frederick, Zoltan Williamson, Michelle Williamson, Kea Wilson, Rich Phillipson, Emma Phillipson; and great-grandchildren, Sylvie, Athena, and Shelby. Eve had the joy of meeting her newest great-granddaughter, Grace Frederick, shortly before her passing.

A private family graveside service will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, where Eve and Herb will be laid to rest together. A service to celebrate Eve's life with family and friends will be held on April 23, 2026, in Dowagiac. April 23rd is Eve's birthday.

Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Eve's personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.