Marian S. Phillips

With deep love, we celebrate the life of Marian Phillips, who passed away on September 2, 2025, at the age of 97 at Sequoia Portola Valley Retirement Community. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, thoughtfulness, and hospitality.

Marian was born on July 16, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Mt. Lebanon as the oldest of three devoted siblings: Ross Snodgrass of Peoria, Arizona, and Thomas Snodgrass of Houston, Texas. In 1950, she married Norman Phillips, and together they built a loving home and raised three children. Their 62 years of marriage were marked by deep devotion to one another, warm hospitality, and an abiding faith in the Lord.

Norm and Marian lived in several locations in the East as Norm's career with Eastman Kodak brought new opportunities before being transferred in 1969 to Menlo Park, California. Alongside Norm, Marian served faithfully at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church as a deacon, covenant leader, and coordinator of the senior ministry, generously offering her gifts of hospitality and organization with joy. For many years, she also taught at the church's weekday nursery school, where she nurtured countless young lives.

In 2004, Norm and Marian joined the retirement community at Sequoias Portola Valley, where they volunteered on many committees and cherished the friendships they built.

Marian will be remembered for her deep and abiding faith in the Lord, her unwavering love for her family, and her gift for creating a welcoming home. She delighted in cooking, baking, gardening, and entertaining, often gathering church friends, neighbors, and extended family around the table to share in fellowship.

Above all, Marian's life was marked by her love for the Lord, her husband, her children and grandchildren, her cousins, nieces and nephews, and for the many friends who were blessed by her kindness and thoughtfulness. She is lovingly remembered by her son Bruce and daughter-in-law Betsy of San Jose, California; granddaughter Shelby of San Jose; grandson Dwyer of Flagstaff, Arizona; and her daughter Carol Getz and granddaughter Delaney, both of Wheaton, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, in 2012, and her eldest son, Jim, in 2023.

A celebration of Marian's life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, September 18 at Menlo Church-Saratoga (20455 Herriman Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070).