Jeanne A. Phillips

Jeanne Ann Phillips, 82, of Quarryville went home to be with her Savior Jesus on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Jeanne was born on May 9, 1943, to the Rev. Herman M. and Jennie (Lutz) Lutz of Robesonia, PA, and ventured out alone sight unseen to Wheaton College (IL) by train, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Christian Education and met her husband, the now Rev. Stephen Phillips, in the concert band. While he attended Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, she audited classes before women were allowed to earn credit. Together they served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Stratford, NJ, and Rochester, NY. Jeanne's life was centered on supporting her husband, raising their three sons to know Jesus Christ, and serving God and others through Christian education and music, both in the church and in the communities where she lived.

She started music lessons when she and her brother decided that they wanted a piano instead of a TV for their childhood home. Later, she studied organ, too, and during high school became the church organist at Christ Little Tulpehocken Church in Bernville, PA. At Wheaton College, she joined the rotation of student organists for the daily chapels and continued her organ studies. She played both piano and organ in the churches Steve pastored. In Rochester, NY, she co-ran the Beresford Road Piano Studio and continued her studies in piano pedagogy at Roberts Wesleyan College on the Robert Pace Method, and in jazz with Bert Konowitz at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her Rochester students included winners of the National Guild of Piano Teachers' composition competition, with student compositions being part of the annual recitals, and also others who continued with formal undergraduate and graduate degrees in music. For the last 25 years, as able, Jeanne accompanied the choir, chapel services, and hymn sings at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community (QPRC), including some for Skilled Care residents; gave concerts; and also played music for Bethany Presbyterian Church (Oxford, PA), where she was a member.

Along with her music role in churches and the community, Jeanne led summer Bible clubs during high school, many women's Bible studies, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes, and for 12 years volunteered with the Joy El Ministries' "released-time" (now Bible Adventure) religious education program for students from Quarryville Elementary School, recruiting volunteers, including from QPRC, to serve as mentors.

Left to honor and remember her love are her husband Stephen (married 60 years) of Quarryville, PA, brother David Lutz of Vienna, Austria, three sons, James (Carol) of Newburgh, NY, Jonathan of Boulder, CO, and the Rev. David (Virginia) of West Grove, PA, five grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Joshua, Chloe, and Elijah, cousins, and countless friends.

The family thanks the Skilled Care staff at QPRC for their amazing care and love for Jeanne.

A Graveside Service is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the Christ Little Tulpehocken Church Cemetery, 40 Church Rd., Bernville, PA.

A Memorial service will be held in the Ellingsworth Auditorium at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community, 625 Robert Fulton Hwy., Quarryville, PA, on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The family will greet friends in the auditorium from 10-11 a.m.