Mary Esteene Wilson Phillips, 90, of Tampa, passed away August 2nd. She was born Feb. 18, 1926 in Ola, Ark. She graduated from the Arkansas Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She practiced as an RN in Tampa for 12 years. She is survived by her husband Burt, son John, daughter-in-law Elyssa, and granddaughters Sarah and Veronica. She was a member of St. Clement's Episcopal Church for 56 years.

A note from son John:

We come into the world silent, and then we start to breath and cry.When it is time to die, we put up a fight and then the crying will stop and the breathing will subside as we return to silence. There must come a breath after which another does not follow. The elegance of the design is wondrous, and we need to honor both ends of this spectrum. Our parents helped us through one door, and it is vital that we help them through the other. Thank you mom for teaching me this.

And thanks of all of you who have loved "Teen" and have been a part of her life. My father and I have heavy hearts - grief is the price of love -but they are also filled with the joy of your friendship.

There will be a service for mom on Monday, August 15th at 11am at St. Clements Episcopal Church in north Tampa, to be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Burial will be Tuesday August 16th at 10am at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Mom always loved St. Clement's and she was an original member of the congregation. Mom and dad would like to help the church serve its mission to nourish Christian love in the community for future generations. Anyone wishing to make donations should be make them to "St. Clement's Episcopal Church" and write "Building fund in memory of Mary Phillips" in the memo.
St Clement's Episcopal Church
706 W 113th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33612

"Entrusted Into Our Care"
MacDonald Funeral Home