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Adrienne Joy Phillips Tribute

Adrienne Joy Phillips Online Memorial
Adrienne Joy Phillips}’s portrait

Adrienne Joy Phillips

  • 71 years old
  • Female
  • Born Jul 27, 1938
  • Died Sep 11, 2009
  • Palos Verdes Estates, California, United States
Welcome to the tribute for our beloved mother, teacher, friend, and inspiration. She lived a FULL life - all will miss her greatly. This is an interactive memorial-please keep all memories & photo/video uploads appropriate. The Phillips Family
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About

Joy 4 Gelati!!

     THANK YOU EVERYONE for your attendance, support, and donations in this time of mourning. Because of the high volume of support from the community, please forgive us if we are unable to personally thank all of you. Please know we are overJOYed by each and every one of your success stories on how Adrienne profoundly affected your lives. The Phillips Family is grateful for everything our mother has done for us, for you, and the world at large.

    In eulogy her eldest son Anthony sums it up by saying, "There was no coincidence in her passing on September 11th. Since she taught history with such vibrancy and dedication, she decided to take a piece of it with her. In 2001 the Twin Towers tragically fell in New York; In 2009 the third tower tragically fell in Los Angeles." She was truly one of a kind.

     Personal emails can be sent directly to the Phillips family at: joy4gelati@yahoo.com

     Adrienne Joy Phillips gave her everything to everyone.  A highly respected mother, wife, teacher, and friend, she spent her entire life devoted to the growth of others.  She dedicated 38 years of her life teaching European History AP and World History Honors at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (formerly Rolling Hills High School).  A seasoned historian and traveler, Adrienne circled the globe and opened her students' eyes to the cultural treasures the world holds. 

    "She didn't just teach history," remarks one of her students, "She brought it to life.

      Throughout her entire existence, nothing stood in the way of success.  She bravely battled cancer and a myriad of other obstacles in life, only to emerge with infinite wisdom and experience. 
     "The sands of time," she often stated, "will eventually bury whatever troubles you may have in life."  True to the word, but those sands will never bury our lasting memories of such an influential woman.  And it is no coincidence that Joy is her middle name because that's exactly what she filled us all with during her vibrant life. 
     Adrienne is survived by her lifelong partner, Emanuel, her three children, Anthony, Andrew, and Katherine, and one grandchild, Padma. 
     May she finally rest in peace, without a stack of papers on her desk...

A short (6min) video of excerpts from Adrienne Phillips' 2008 reconciliation workshop to Ireland can be viewed at http://www.pvphs.org/mrsphillips.wmv...(PC's only - sorry -  Remember to 'pause' the website music player...)

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Memories

Sorry I missed the ice cream

Helen O'Neill Aug 07, 2011

Thanks for your lovely son.

-Pineapple

on how to live one's life

Jenny Fan Oct 20, 2010

I was a student in Mrs. Phillips' World History class sophomore year, and was so intrigued and amazed by her teaching that I followed up with Art History AP after school and European History AP the next year. I also traveled with Mrs.Phillips to Italy on her art tour. Mrs. Philips introduced me to so much, both in academics and more importantly, in life. I still remember the blue exam books Mrs. Phillips passed out, her gentle but firm pushing of each student to do her best, her way of highlighting each students' accomplishments without making others feel bad. She didn't just teach us - she illuminated the power of knowledge for us. I think of her so often - when come across amazing art, when I read about a historical figure, even just when I eat gelato and remember our art history trips to downtown LA.

I once lost my car keys and had to wait hours for the AAA to come and tow my car and replace the key. My parents weren't in town, and I had no one else to turn to. It was a cold afternoon. Mrs. Phillips opened the doors of her big boat of a station wagon to me, and we sat in the front seat sharing a loaf of challah for hours waiting for the car mechanics to arrive. She wasn't just a teacher, she was a great mentor and friend. I will miss her dearly.

Jenny Fan Raj
PVPHS 2000

Yearbook Supervisor

Suzi Weber Ironmonger Jul 04, 2010

I often think of Mrs. Phillips and I wish that I had known of the celebration of her life held just earlier this month. She was our yearbook advisor thru to 1970, and she was powerful and insightful person as she guided those of us involved in the production of the yearbook (2 periods - copy & production) and the newspaper. She was tough and pushed us to be our best. It was not the same my last year when she retired as advisor. She had selected me as Editor-In-Chief for senior year and she sat me down and told me what my weakness and strengths were and what problems lay ahead for me. Our new advisor was young and unfortunately did not have the savvy or experience to do the job. We all wanted Mrs. Phillips back as advisor. I have a lot of respect for her and I know that she made a big difference in my life and goals.

Yearbook Supervisor

Suzi Weber Ironmonger Jul 04, 2010

I often think of Mrs. Phillips and I wish that I had known of the celebration of her life held just earlier this month. She was our yearbook advisor thru to 1970, and she was powerful and insightful person as she guided those of us involved in the production of the yearbook (2 periods - copy & production) and the newspaper. She was tough and pushed us to be our best. It was not the same my last year when she retired as advisor. She had selected me as Editor-In-Chief for senior year and she sat me down and told me what my weakness and strengths were and what problems lay ahead for me. Our new advisor was young Sandy Plant , who unfortunately did not have the savvy or experience to do the job. We all wanted Mrs. Phillips back as advisor. I have a lot of respect for her and I know that she made a big difference in my life and goals.

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  • What was Adrienne Joy Phillips's first job? Did he/she like it?

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Kata Phillips

Visited May 08, 2011

Jenny Fan

Visited Oct 20, 2010

Marleen

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Visited Oct 09, 2010

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The Phillips Family

    United States

    Visited Sep 19, 2009