Constance Phillips, 65, of Phoenix, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, in her home in Los Angeles with her family.
Connie was born Dec. 7, 1946, in Detroit, to Irven and Eula (nee MacDonald) Watkins. She was educated at Western Michigan University ("WMU"), and received two master's degrees from Madonna University and Michigan State University. She met her ex-husband, Peter Allen Phillips (who preceded her in death in May), at WMU and they moved to Charlevoix to raise their family in 1978.
Connie spent several years educating and advocating for the rights of prisoners -- especially in the area of G.E.D. equivalency. She was later a special education and deaf teacher in Muskegon, Mich., Charleston, S.C., the Navajo Nation, Kayenta, Ariz., and Phoenix. In 2011, Connie received the award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Foundation for the Deaf and the Blind in recognition of her work as a teacher in the Applied Academics Program at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf.
She was a beloved mother to Owen Phillips (Laura Willis), Amber Phillips (Tom Slovick), and Ethan Phillips (Timothy Johnston) and great friend to many. Always open, available, and engaging, her spirit for life will be sorely missed by those who knew her best.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellness Community in Phoenix, Ariz., the Cancer Support Community Center in Pasadena, Calif., or the Applied Academics Program at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Phoenix, Ariz.
Connie was born Dec. 7, 1946, in Detroit, to Irven and Eula (nee MacDonald) Watkins. She was educated at Western Michigan University ("WMU"), and received two master's degrees from Madonna University and Michigan State University. She met her ex-husband, Peter Allen Phillips (who preceded her in death in May), at WMU and they moved to Charlevoix to raise their family in 1978.
Connie spent several years educating and advocating for the rights of prisoners -- especially in the area of G.E.D. equivalency. She was later a special education and deaf teacher in Muskegon, Mich., Charleston, S.C., the Navajo Nation, Kayenta, Ariz., and Phoenix. In 2011, Connie received the award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Foundation for the Deaf and the Blind in recognition of her work as a teacher in the Applied Academics Program at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf.
She was a beloved mother to Owen Phillips (Laura Willis), Amber Phillips (Tom Slovick), and Ethan Phillips (Timothy Johnston) and great friend to many. Always open, available, and engaging, her spirit for life will be sorely missed by those who knew her best.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellness Community in Phoenix, Ariz., the Cancer Support Community Center in Pasadena, Calif., or the Applied Academics Program at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Phoenix, Ariz.
