July 31, 1929 - November 3, 2022

Marcia Phillips, educator, artist, volunteer, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed peacefully November 3, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina having led a life full of passion, art and grace.

Marcia’s life was defined by her passions: passion for education through her years as a teacher in the Raleigh Public Schools and docent to the North Carolina Museum of Art; passion for art as an accomplished watercolorist whose paintings grace many collections; passion for community leading civic organizations, teaching adults to read and supporting immigrants to achieve their dream of citizenship; passion for travel with her husband, family and friends throughout her adopted home of North Carolina, and the world; but mostly Marcia was driven by her love and passion for her family and friends, the source of her greatest happiness.

Marcia Rae McDowell Phillips was born July 31, 1929, to Elvira and Halbert McDowell, in Seattle, Washington. She was awarded a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Washington and her teaching credentials from Meredith College. She married Lyle Phillips in 1953 and shortly thereafter moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where she raised her family. A resident of Raleigh for over 50 years, she also spent time in Emerald Isle, North Carolina and Port Ludlow, Washington.

Marcia’s life was shared and is celebrated by her family including sister Margaret Smith of Seattle, Washington, daughter Linda Boney of Mountain City, Tennessee and sons Bart Phillips of Vancouver, Washington and Norman Phillips of Palm Bay, Florida, their families, and Marcia’s many friends. The communities where Marcia lived and those she met were bettered by her presence and grace.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Carolina Museum of Art or North Carolina Symphony.