Tributes to 'Mother Phillips'

Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Transport and Works, being comforted yesterday at the funeral of his mother, Mrs. Thelma Joyce Phillips, by Monsignor Richard Albert of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Shortwood Road, St. Andrew. The funeral service was at St. Margaret's Church, Liguanea.

THELMA JOYCE Phillips, educator and social worker, said there should be no eulogy at her funeral service. So her only child, Dr. Peter Phillips, yesterday paid her tribute, giving mourners a peek into what he described as the trilogy of her world: her God, her family and her country.

An overflow congregation attending a mass of thanksgiving at St. Margaret's Church, Liguanea, including family members, Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, other political colleagues and constituents, listened to Dr. Phillips, Minister of Transport and Works, talk of the kindness and humility of his mother who died at age 81.

Dr. Phillips traced her life from Middlesex, Manchester to the nation's capital where she imparted her skills to young Jamaicans, citing examples of her meticulous nature, such as when she edited and typed his Master's thesis.

He elicited laughter from the congregation when he spoke about her frugality, giving the example of how she refused to give up her 25-year-old car, saying it was serving its purpose.

In her later years she dedicated her energies to senior citizens' welfare through the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine. An offering was taken at the service for GALMAC home for senior citizens.

The other tribute was given by her grandson, Mikael, who had lived with her since 1985, when her husband, Professor Aubrey Phillips died. And lessons were read by her niece, Hilary Phillips, and granddaughter, Tsahai.

In the homily, Fr. Vivian Cohen, said a living epitaph to his late church member would read: "Here was a life that shed light instead of cast shadows."

Back to News