Obituary of Ethel E. Phillips

Ethel L. Ecklund Phillips, 89, of Golden Living Center in Warren, Pa., formerly of 26 Lee Avenue, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2013 at Golden Living Center. She fought a long difficult battle against Alzheimer's with determination and dignity, for many years. She was born April 6, 1923 in Jamestown, NY. the daughter of Andrew R. and Rosetta (Westman) Ecklund. She was a 1940 graduate of Falconer High School, where she had played trombone in the band and was also a majorette. She held several different positions of employment during her life before settling in with her favorite occupation which was an organ teacher at the former Hammond Organ Studio on Fourth Street in Jamestown. After that business closed she continued to teach in her home. She loved her time with her students and was a devoted, gifted teacher. Ethel had a passion for music and enjoyed singing with the Jamestown Chapter of Sweet Adelines for many years. She also sang with the Chautauqua Tones quartet and loved participating in competitions. She was a former member of the Eagles Club and Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. She was a regular at the Fluvanna Fire Hall where her brother Richard ran bingo for many years. Ethel is a member of Pilgrim Memorial United Church of Christ. It was there she married her husband, Glenn A. Phillips on August 30, 1943 with the Rev. Dennis Bauman, of Pilgrim Memorial UCC officiating. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Greg) Swan of Lakewood, N.Y.; and a son P. Andrew (Linnea) Phillips of Fairview, Tenn. She was a loving grandma to Brett Swan of Jamestown, N.Y., Jennifer (Sean) Swan-Leuze of Lakewood, N.Y., Rachel Phillips of Yuba City, CA., Joel, Ethan, Hannah, Eli, and Abigail Phillips, Ashlee (Dean) Buchanan of Fairview, Tenn., and Jesse (Lisa) Phillips of Cleveland, Tenn. She also is great-grandmother to Hadyn, Hannah, and Heidi Swan-Leuze all of Lakewood. NY. , and had many nieces and nephews. Ethel was a person that put her whole heart and soul into whatever she did. She enjoyed her home and was very proud of all the hard work she and her husband had put into the building of it. She was dedicated to the planning and planting of the flower beds that were designed every year. She was a thoughtful friend and neighbor and was always willing to offer a helping hand. She and her husband Glenn spent many happy hours dancing and listening to music. It might have been at the Pier in Celoron, NY, an area dance contest or in their home which she was always ready to open to enjoy family and friends. Her laugh was contagious and long after her words left her she would freely share her beautiful smile with anyone who came near. Besides her parents, she was preceded in by death by her husband, Glenn A. Phillips (who died on December 31, 2012), a sister, Marilyn Reger, three brothers; Richard Ecklund of Jamestown, Roger (Carol)Ecklund of Hermitage, PA and Donald Ecklund of Las Vegas. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 825 Forest Avenue, Jamestown, NY. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville, NY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Monday, March 4, 2013, in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pilgrim Memorial United Church of Christ, 70 McKinley Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701, or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 825 Forest Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701. Contributions may also be made to a charity of ones choice. The family would like to acknowledge with appreciation and gratitude the compassionate staff of Golden Living Center who for many years lovingly cared for Ethel. They also would like to thank the volunteers with AseraCare Hospice who provided hours of caring support for Ethel during her last months. You may light a candle in remembrance of Ethel at www.lindfuneralhome.com.