Mary Gunnell "Rit" Phillips

PHILLIPS, MARY GUNNELL "Rit"

Mary Newbold Rittenhouse Gunnell Phillips died peacefully at Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads, Falls Church, VA, on April 13, 2006, at the age of 100. The daughter of Emily Nelson Gunnell and Leonard Coleman Gunnell, she was born in Washington, DC on October 5, 1905.

Known as "Rit" by family and friends, Mrs. Phillips grew up at Bush Hill, an old family home near Alexandria, VA, and attended Gunston Hall and George Washington University. In 1928, she married Donald Boyer Phillips, a career officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following her husband's retirement, the couple resided in Alexandria, VA, where she was a member of the Garden Club of Alexandria for many years.

Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by her husband; their son Duncan Boyer Phillips; her sister, Amenie Gunnell Boatner; and her two brothers, Leonard Coleman Gunnell Jr. and Bruce Covington Gunnell. She is survived by the five remaining children of her family, Sky Phillips Beaven, Mary Rittenhouse Phillips Rainey, Bruce Covington Phillips, Natalie Phillips Hughes, and Amenie Nelson Phillips Schweizer; and also by most of her other descendents, 31 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at Fork Church (Episcopal) in Hanover County, VA, on April 29, 2006, at 4 p.m., followed by interment in the Church Cemetery. Advent Funeral and Cremation Services of Falls Church, VA, 703-241-7402, is handling arrangements. Flowers, or memorial contributions to Fork Church in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Fork Church, 12566 Old Ridge Road, Doswell, VA 23047