Margaret Phillips

Margaret Phillips demonstrated through her daily life that one does not need to be overbearing or outspoken in order to witness to others. Her gentle spirit and reserved life of faith to her Lord was inspiring to all those within her reach. Margaret cherished her family and her five girls were a constant source of pride and it was no secret that her girls felt strongly that they could not have asked for a better mother. Margaret’s warm demeanor and joy for living was contagious to others who were naturally drawn to her.

The decade of the 1910s looked much different from the way of life today as people found enjoyment in simple things. During this time, Charles and Wilhemina “Minni” (Kloet) Manni, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were preparing for the birth of their first child. On March 18, 1919, they were blessed indeed with the birth of their daughter, Margaret. Later joined in her family by her younger brother, Leon, Margaret grew up on the west side of the city in the family home next to both of her grandparents. Her father supported his family through his work at Wurzburgs Department Store, allowing Margaret to enjoy a nice wardrobe.

Grand Rapids looked much different during this generation and Margaret recalled trolley cars running through the streets of the city and she remembered going for sleigh rides with her uncle on Leonard Street. Margaret found fun doing things that were common during this era – playing jacks, roller skating, and ice skating during the winter although she also spoke of the time she attended one of the premier showings of Gone With the Wind when she was a bit older, in 1939. Margaret received her education at West Leonard Elementary, Harrison Park Elementary, and later graduated from Union High School in 1936. Many fond memories were also created during Margaret’s formative years at the family cottage on Gun Lake where they spent summer weekends and vacations.

After graduating from high school, Margaret found employment at Interstate Motor Freight and then at American Seating where she worked in the Dictaphone department until she got married. She met the love of her life on the train en route to the New York World’s Fair with two of her friends in 1939. His name was Arthur Phillips and he too was from Grand Rapids. After dating for a time, the couple was married on May 7, 1942, having fallen deeply in love. At first, the newlyweds settled in Milan, Illinois, where Art worked in tool and die and while living there, they were blessed with their first of five children. After Art decided to enlist in the Navy, Margaret and their oldest daughter moved to Grand Rapids where they were closer to her mother. Upon Art’s discharge, he returned to his family in Grand Rapids and their family continued to grow as they were building their home on Ball Avenue, first living in the garage. Later, their family moved to a house on Four Mile Road.

Margaret was devoted to caring for her husband and children and she took great pride in her work as well. Each day, she and Art prayed together before he left for work, then Margaret sent her daughters off to school, and she later greeted her five girls when they returned home from school, always with fresh bread or cookies as she loved to bake. Their family created many precious memories together including family picnics, renting a cottage on Silver Lake in the summers, and on Wednesdays during the summer, Margaret and her young girls always did something with her mother. Margaret treasured being a mother and she filled her girls with her unconditional love and surrounded them with laughter and fun times too.

Faith was established as a cornerstone in Margaret’s life from an early age. During her childhood, she attended Trinity Reformed Church, followed by a few different churches before finally settling at Fourth Reformed Church for the past 47 years. Margaret was always content to let others be in the spotlight and although she never served in a leadership position, she was often active in other roles.

There were many things that made Margaret the special woman that her family and friends knew and loved. She was neat and orderly and preferred to enjoy the comforts of her home rather than travel much. Margaret was a talented seamstress and together with her mother, she made most of her girls’ clothes, complete with matching dresses for their dolls. She also loved knitting, crocheting, and doing cross-stitch too. Margaret always had a garden, often freezing and canning her yields and she even tried to make her own catsup. Margaret loved reading inspirational novels, doing puzzles and crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She loved her computer and often used email as a way to keep in touch with family members and missionaries from church and she also liked to use her computer to play games.

Family was of great importance to Margaret and when her family grew to include grandchildren and later great-grandchildren, she adored them and was thrilled to babysit at times too. She was always sure to give her children the privacy they deserved, never interfering inappropriately, supporting them while they found their own way. Margaret had a close relationship with her mother and they spoke daily until her mother’s death in 1967. Margaret lost her beloved husband art in 1978 but drew strength from her faith and her family.

Margaret Phillips was content to set aside her own needs to give preference to the needs of others instead and she was happiest when surrounded by her entire family. She always said to do things in moderation and although she had a gentle spirit, she could be feisty when it came to things she felt passionate about. Margaret leaves behind a strong legacy of faith and love, a reflection of a life well lived.

Margaret R. Phillips of Grand Rapids died on June 18, 2009. Margaret’s family includes her five daughters and sons-in-law, Charlene (Paul) Stegink, Ruth (Tom) Langerak, Linda (Bill) Boylen, Mary Lou (Rick) Menken, Karen (Jan) Magnuson; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Marion Manni, Louise (Rokus) DeBlaay, Corinne Phillips, and several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday, June 22 at 12 noon at Fourth Reformed Church with her pastor, Rev. Tim Meendering officiating. Interment in Washington Park Memory Gardens. Visit with her family and friends at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes– Van Strien-Creston Chapel - Grand Rapids, MI, on Sunday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. and on Monday at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Fourth Reformed Church for use in Missions.