Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips entered into eternal life on January 27, 2026, at the age of 102. Born Barbara Frances Schubert, in the old Palo Alto Hospital on July 10, 1923, she was educated in Palo Alto schools, beginning with Lytton School. Barbara was in the first freshman class to attend David Starr Jordan Middle School, before going on to graduate from Palo Alto High School in the class of 1941. In 2018, Barbara was the oldest alumni to attend the 100 th Anniversary of Paly.
As a child, Barbara traveled in California and to Chicago with her parents. Before attending college, she traveled around the United States and to Mexico City with a girlfriend, trips that sparked her love of travel left her with a life-time of memories. Barbara studied art at San Jose State, graduating with a degree of Bachelor Arts in education. It was when she returned to San Jose State to obtain her general secondary certification that she met her future husband, Howard Phillips. They were married at the Stanford Chapel on June 27, 1948, with a reception
at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Rinconada Park, Palo Alto.

After a short time living in Los Gatos, where both Howard and Barbara taught school, they bought a lot, in an apricot orchard, from the Costello Family in Los Altos, and built what would become their forever home. Due to the Korean conflict, Barbara moved in without Howard, and worked on landscaping with her father, George Schubert. Living comfortably with minimal care at her home, until she was 101 years old, Barbara moved into Sunny View Assisted Living, where she was very thankful for the excellent care and help she received.

Barbara participated in many organizations over the years in both Los Altos and Palo Alto. She was a life-long member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, through San Jose State University. She assisted in the work needed to build Shoup Park children's playground, was a volunteer with Children's Health Council, Los Altos Girl Scouts, and donated her time to the Hillview Elementary School library. She was a member of Junior Women's Club in Palo Alto, and in her later years, Palo Alto Host Lion's Club. She assisted Howard in his work with Los Altos Kiwanis Club. Barbara was a member of Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School and Thursday Afternoon Youth Group (TAYG), led the Women's Bible Study group for many years, and served as a Deacon into her nineties, caring for members of the church. She and Howard were long- time members of Mariners, in both the Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church and Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, where they made many friends and participated in many activities.

Barbara frequently spoke about how fortunate she was to be born in Palo Alto and spend her life on the Peninsula and most recently stated that she had the perfect life. She told many stories about time spent with friends from Palo Alto and Menlo-Atherton High Schools. She loved the California coast and spent many weekends with friends and family in Monterey. As a teenager, she worked as a messenger girl in San Francisco. Barbara taught school in both Salinas and in Los Gatos. Once their children were raised, Barbara and Howard traveled the world, enjoying their time together. Once back home in Los Altos, both Barbara and Howard acknowledged that they lived in the best place in the world.

She and Howard lived most of their married life in Los Altos, where they raised three children.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 57 years in 2005, and her parents. She is survived by her three children, Allison (Bob) Klotz, Laura (Stephen) Joffe, and Jon (Tracy) Philips, five grandchildren and four great-granddaughters.

The family is planning a celebration of life on Barbara's birthday, July 10, 2026. Lunch will follow.

Donations in Barbara's name can be made to the Peninsula Open Space Trust or KQED.