Virginia Phillips

A 2nd generation Denver Native, Virginia grew up in the Washington Park neighborhood and graduated from South High School. She went on to graduate Denver University, and lived in Southeast Denver all of her life.

Virginia loved to dance. At 15 she attended Lillian Cushing Academy of dance and learned all types from ballroom, tap and some ballet. Later on while attending Denver University she found a love of Square Dance. It was the center of life as she became a member of the award winning “DU Dudes & Dames” (1946). She also danced with the YMCA’s “Circle 4” and the “Mile-Hi Folk Dancers.” They researched made their own costumes and danced someplace EVERY night of the week for 10 years.

"Mom" - “Became a single parent in 1962 for her two children, David and Lisa. "I did a pretty nice job of it too!” It was all about actively participating in Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts (Jr. Scouts), DeMolay and Job’s Daughters. At every turn more of the kids would affectionate call her “Shorty” due to her 5’3” stature. In no way would this describe her character.

Her Favorite things: Knitting for family and also for the Daughters of the Nile. Chaired and Co-Chaired the Nile knitting committee many times and over the years personally knit close to a hundred sweaters that were sent to the Shiners’ Hospitals Burns Units. Dogs - large or small, her own and other peoples, from the time she was little dogs were best friends and companions. When she moved into her condo and couldn’t have a dog she collected a few very special stuffed dogs – there is one in the coffin –Spike, her favorite – just for fun. Crossword puzzles - This was an addiction that fed her love for words and meanings. She was a continual proof reader and would proofread the daily newspaper as well as school papers for her kids. Reading Who Dun-its - Very particular about authors, when she found one she liked she would devour everything they wrote and stay up sometimes until 3am to solve the crime.

Activities: Member of the El Mejdel Temple Number 47, Daughters of the Nile from 1952 to present. Several appointive offices and committees, Elected Recorder in 1975 for 10 years. Swedish Club of Denver – Member since the mid 60’s when the first allowed women to become members and have some say in what goes on. Vice President of A O I & B, The family Corporation – “Arvid Olson Investment & Building Co.” Later when the company became a Partnership she was one of the General Partners.

She was spunky and loving to the end of her days. She left us as she had always wanted, in her own home, in her own room; she went to sleep and slipped away. What more could you want?

Donations in her memory can be made at her request to the Denver Dumb Friends League 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80231,(303) 751-5772 http://www.ddfl.org/. OR El Mejdel Temple No. 47 Daughters of the Nile Convalescence Relief Fund, [email protected] http://elmejdel.org/.