Lois "Trish" Patricia (Leroy) Philon

Lois Patricia “Trish” Leroy Philon, age 88 of Fargo, ND died on April 24th, 2024 in Harrisonburg, VA. Born November 17th, 1935 in Killdeer, ND to Elizabeth C. Brown Leroy (teacher), and Walter E. Leroy (rancher), Trish was the second of four daughters. She and her sisters, Bette, Sharon, and Beverly were raised in Fargo, ND by their mother, after their parents divorced in 1946. Trish excelled in academics, and graduated from Methodist-Kahler Nursing School in Rochester, MN, where she formed life-long friendships. She completed her internship at the Mayo Clinic, before moving to Chicago for her externship at Cook County Hospital, in 1955. In Chicago, Trish met Oliver Maurice “Mo” Philon, who was completing his MBA at the University of Chicago. The couple married with both families in attendance, at the Chapel of the University of Chicago, on June 15th, 1957. Trish delayed her nursing career to start a family, in Chicago, where Mo was employed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons. As newlyweds, the couple made many dear and lasting friendships. On March 18, 1958 Trish gave birth to daughter Leslie Kay Philon, who was three months premature, and passed on March 19th, 1958. On March 9th, 1959, Trish and Mo welcomed son James John Philon into the world. Trish and Mo purchased a home in the Chicago suburb of Park Forest, IL, for their growing family, before the birth of their second son, Todd Leon Philon, born on March 29th, 1961. Trish and Mo moved to Crawfordsville, IN, in 1963, when Mo earned a promotion with R.R.D. They built a custom home, and welcomed daughter Laura Lynn Leroy Philon on November 21st, 1964. In addition to being a loving mother and home maker, Trish was a politically active, life-long, feminist and social justice advocate. During her 26 years in Crawfordsville, Trish served as a City Council member from 1974-79, and served on a number of boards and committees including the League of Women Voters of Indiana, the Indiana Women's Political Caucus, the Indiana Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., and the National Organization of Women. She tirelessly advocated for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment for a decade, and was delighted when Indiana ratified it. She also served on the board of directors for the Family Crisis Shelter of Montgomery County. Through the mid-late 1970's, Trish was employed as a legislative proof-reader for the Indiana House of Representatives, and later as the Journal Clerk for the Indiana State Senate. She also volunteered as a Camp Fire Girls group leader to spend time with her daughter, and started a small business, TLC (Trish Leroy Ceramics) making original ceramics, to nurture her creative spirit. After battling and surviving breast cancer at age 44, Trish returned to nursing. She worked at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis in the early 1980s. She departed Wishard to obtain her Nurse Practitioner's degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Jefferson University, Philadelphia- 1982), after which she accepted a position as the chief nurse and administrator running the Crawfordsville Planned Parenthood Association's clinic. In 1988, Trish and Mo moved to Harrisonburg, VA, after Mo requested a transfer with his employer. A year later they found their perfect 'golden years' mountain home at Massanutten. Trish gained employment, and worked as a nurse with the Rockingham County Department of Public Health, until her retirement in 2001. She was involved with the Valley Aids Network, and various groups whose aim is to support disenfranchised, and disadvantaged people of all backgrounds and nationalities. Always keen to learn more about the world, Trish and Mo enjoyed international traveling together, and with others. They visited 5 continents and many countries during the decades they lived in Virginia. They were also patrons of the Arts, enjoying live theater performances, attending numerous Lifelong Learning Institute art classes, and visiting art festivals and book fairs. Trish remained politically and socially active, beyond retirement. She worked as a Poll Worker every election until she served on the Virginia State Board of Elections. She was active in the local Democratic Party, the Massanutten Women's Club, the Lion's Club, the Alzheimer's Association, and other non-profit organizations. She enjoyed walking, and touring gardens, going out to movies and dinners with friends. Trish was a warm, kind, and generous visionary, and a peace-maker. She always sought to uplift the marginalized, and she advocated for justice and peace for all beings, and for the preservation of our environment. She loved to earnestly communicate, and to invite others to share their life stories. She was a much loved granddaughter, daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grand-mother, colleague, and friend. Trish was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, husband, first daughter, and sons. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Philon, daughter-in-law Josie Philon (Todd), and her granddaughter, Julia Philon, as well as her half-sister, Tamara Anderson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life / memorial is planned for some time in Sep. 2024 – at the Massanutten Lion's Club Park with a date to be announced.