Obituary of Mary C. Phillips

Mary Phillips, 77, passed away, at home, at the side of her husband, on Sunday, September 10, 2023.  She was the beloved mother of Brian and Geoffrey Phillips.

She was born on August 9, 1946, the daughter of John Clarkeson and Margaret Falcon, she had one brother, John Clarkeson and was married to Bruce L. Phillips.  They met in high school and renewed their relationship after their 1964 graduation from Niskayuna High School when, on graduation adventures, fate brought them together in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. They dated through college, Mary at Connecticut College for Women, where she earned a degree in Mathematics, and Bruce at the University of Rochester, graduated from their respective schools in 1968 and became engaged.  They were married in June 1969.

After graduation she worked for the U.S. Government at Fort Mead, Maryland and, after moving to New York, worked at General Electric as a computer scientist at its Research and Development Center.  After retiring from General Electric she went to work with the New York State Department of Health and while engaged in these employments she obtained a patent and earned a Master’s degree from RPI.

She has enjoyed working, in various offices and capacities, with Habitat for Humanity in Schenectady, and has especially enjoyed her work with Friends of Bethlehem Public Library and Q.U.I.L.T, Inc. where she was actively involved, twice as President of the guild, other Board roles and general supporter in shows, meetings and other Q.U.I.L.T. activities.

Retirement also let her enjoy vacations to the Southwest and, in particular, a cruise up the Mississippi River.  It has let her interests in her craft hobbies blossom.  She liked to create fidget quilts, lap quilts and walker bags for local care facilities and embroider baptismal stoles for St. Thomas.  Her family, friends, their grand-babies and others would be given quilts, quilted jackets, and tote bags.  She discovered Zentangles and Zendoodles, relaxing processes whereby apparently random lines assume structured and beautiful forms, which could become the basis for note cards, free standing art, or additions to other projects.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce, sons Brian and Geoffrey, brother, John and sister-in-law (who was more like a sister) Kathy. She is loved and missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 7 pm at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.  A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 am Saturday, Sept. 16 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar.  Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Q.U.I.L.T, Inc., P.O. Box 523, Delmar, NY 12054 (quiltinc.org), Friends of Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054 (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/friends-of-bethlehem-public-library) or the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY  12110.