PHYLLIS N KIRKPATRICK

1933 - 2021
Born May 14, 1933 in Rochester, NY, the daughter of Grayce (Reinhard) and George T Newell, Phyllis was raised in Queens, NY. She studied classical piano for years at the Mannes School of Music and the High School of Performing Arts, but was sidetracked as a teen when she began a career as a model. She enjoyed fame in the 1940s through 1960s, gracing the covers of Glamour, McCall's, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and appeared in 100s of print advertisements. In 1952, she was featured in a cover story by Life magazine, in an article titled "The Quandary of a Gifted Girl", which celebrated her many talents and potential.

She married Sidney Rosner in 1955, and they raised 4 children. Phyllis moved to Ashfield, MA in the 1970s in pursuit of a simpler, more agricultural life. She was the founding editor of The Ashfield News and co-edited 2 volumes of the History of Ashfield, her beloved adopted home. While she travelled extensively in her lifetime, her favorite place on earth remained the family farm in Ashfield and she was always happiest just living a simple life there.

Phyllis considered her modeling career one of the least interesting periods of her life. She was an antiques dealer, a piano teacher, a small-scale farmer and an activist all before she turned 50. She never learned to ride a bike, but she could sew, spin, dye, knit, weave, crochet and quilt. When her nest emptied a bit, Phyllis began college. It took several years to complete her degree, but she double-majored in Music and French earning a BA from Smith College in 1997 where she composed and performed original music. She graduated with honors at age 64.

She leaves daughters Beth Manning of Shelburne, MA (her children Caitlin Manning, Eliza Manning Hanna and Bailey Manning); Darcy Rosner of Greenfield, MA (her children, Sarah Sullivan and Anna Sullivan Palmer); Gillian Rosner of Gill, MA (and her daughter Sophie Margola); and son Wesley Rosner of Shelburne, MA, (and his children Noah, Leah and Abigail Rosner), two stepchildren, Warren Kirkpatrick and Karin Kirkpatrick, 3.5 great-grandchildren, sister Ruth Newell Donohue; niece Heather McElhatton, nephews Colin and JT McElhatton, and Jonathan Schneps as well as dearly loved cousins and countless friends. Phyllis was predeceased by her beloved husband Sidney Rosner in 1994, and her 2nd husband, Dale Kirkpatrick in 2001.

In lieu of flowers, please learn the difference between "you're" and "your", between "to" "two" and "too" as well as "there" "they're" and "their". Take care of Mother Earth. Support small farms. Accept those unlike yourself. Love anyone you want. It's ok if you would like to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Vote with your heart - not your wallet. Be kind – a little snark and snobbery is fine, meanness is not. Be creative. Read, cook, garden and sing with your children and grandchildren. Listen to good music – "real music". Eat real butter. Pay attention to and appreciate the tiny, lovely, simple things in life, as Phyllis did.