Louise Snyder Phillips

Louise Snyder Phillips of Washington DC passed away peacefully on July 14 2025 at age 87. She was born on December 1, 1937 to Russell and Mary Snyder December 1, 1937 in Laytonsville MD and was one of 6 children. Louise is survived by her dear sister, Hattie Bingham and nieces and nephews.

Ms. Phillips goal was to educate current and future generations to be caretakers of our natural resources through her paintings and multi-arts programs. She was an untiring advocate for our nations' National Parks Service (NPS) and National Forest Service (NFS).

She was an educator by profession, with emphasis in Elementary & Early Childhood Education. She taught kindergarten in the Montgomery County Maryland school system until she retired due to health issues. She received the “Dean Anderson Outstanding Educator Alumni Award” in 1984. After retiring she became an environmental enthusiast and concentrated on painting, and publishing children’s books and songs. It was through these media that she taught current and future generations to care for our earth. She participated in the student Education Programs, including environment programs at Shelburne Farms in Vermont.

In 2000 Ms. Phillips organized a multi-arts program in honor of The Society of American Forester’s 100 birthday celebration at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, DC. This was an extensive presentation with over 150 children participating in singing and dancing from all over the Metro area. A very large mural, entitled “Our Children’s Forest, Nature’s Harmony” was done by the Chevy Chase High School Art Club students.

Her most acknowledged dedication was for the painting, “Mystery in the Deep, Dark Forest”. In 2012 it was donated to the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, (Largest US forest) in honor of the Tongass National Children’s Forest and all children everywhere as part of Children’s Forest initiative of the NPS and NFS. Important dedications were held in Washington, DC and Alaska. In DC, the Regional forester of Alaska as well as department heads were in attendance.

Louise published several children’s books and songs. The first book she wrote is entitled “The Bald Eagle’s Flying Shadow” was performed as a play by local children in her hometown of Frederick, Maryland, as part of a Fourth of July celebration. Another book, “The Children of the Forest” has been performed also as a play.

She was often a guest of honor for many events such as the Boy Scout Centennial in Virginia. Where she planted a tree honoring the event and was Artist in Residence” when 50 scouts participated in doing a 4’ x 5’ painting related to nature. She was guest of honor at the Outer Banks Park’s Centennial of the NPS and her 4 x 5’ painting was the inspiration for the exhibit that was open to the public for a number of weeks. Her painting is now on display at the outer Banks Museum. She was often guest at “Meet The Artist’ special events where the public came and talked with the artist. In the Silver City, New Mexico Museum there was a luncheon and Louise designed special postcards with her art on it that she signed for the children.

She was requested to write a song for the National Park’s Centennial Founder’s Day celebration held in Yellowstone National Park. Her song “All Earth’s Children” was sung by a chorus of more than 50 children and Louise was recognized. The song was sung by many choruses all across the country in 2016 called “Sing Across America” celebration. The most intriguing place the song has been sung is by a large Children’s chorus in the cave in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, largest cave system in the world. To view the song type in “All Earth’s Children”. The first video: MIDWEST NATIONAL PARKS is the most impressive showing children singing with backgrounds in all the places it was sung. Please click the following link to view: https://youtu.be/UKv_TauprGQ?si=HlNKI-Y6zMB1ysXa.

Among community events Ms. Phillips organized were chorus groups singing in front of several monuments in DC; The Washington School Chorus in front of the Washington Monument and The DC Children’s Choir in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

She found ways to teach children about their environment that was fun. She established the annual “Mayo Clinic Children’s Garden Celebration”; besides having children plant plants, she included the arts. For example one year the “Minnesota Youth Ballet” performed and another year there was an art exhibit by Rochester Public Schools. She found it important to include community involvement when planning programs.

Ms. Phillips loved participating in the “Capitol Christmas Tree lighting”. She donated a painting to the National Park that furnished the tree and it was dedicated at the “Ranger’s prelighting event.

Over 100 4”x 5” paintings by Ms. Phillips have been donated to NPS and NFS all over the country, including Alaska. Many of her paintings are placed in National Park’s Visitor Centers. It was her great joy to hold workshops for the children when visiting for the dedication of paintings. Rangers enjoyed working with her and the children.

To honor her, a private remembrance celebration with family will be held in her home town of Frederick Maryland.

Contributions to honor Louise may be made to the following: Children’s National Hospital Foundation, ATT: Gift Administration, 1 Inventa Place, 6th floor West, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Hopkins Children’s Center, 750 East Pratt St., Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD, 21209, Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd., Shelburne Farms, Vermont 05482.