Colleen Margaret Philipps

Colleen M. Philipps, 67, died on October 12, 2022 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, surrounded by family in the room, and by family and friends across the miles who offered their thoughts and prayers for this wonderful human being. Colleen was diagnosed with an interstitial lung disease in 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Margaret McGill (neé Kavanagh); her in-laws Hubert and Clara Philipps (née Boling) and her brothers-in-law Joseph Muscio and Lloyd Kennedy.

Colleen is survived by her husband of 45 years, Edward, of Parkton; daughter Shauna (Kevin) Haslip of Ward, AR; son Daniel (Tiffeny) of Parkton; and son Michael (Heather) of Knoxville, TN. Colleen was an amazing Memo to Alex, Moira, Maireád, and Morrighan Haslip; Madison, Savannah, Lillian, and Daniel Philipps; Mykenzie Craig and Bradin Philipps. She was the best sister to Patricia Muscio of Santa Maria, CA; Daniel (Suzzie) McGill of Fayetteville; Bridgid (Bernard) MacSeóin of Greensboro, and Kerry Kennedy of Laurinburg. Colleen is aunt to Joseph, Inga, Elizabeth and Nicholas Muscio; Nicholas MacSeóin; Lloyd Jr., John, Robert, and Ryan Kennedy; and Jerome, Amy, Christopher, Brittney, Alex, Tori and Austin Philipps. She is great aunt to Nicholas and Joseph Muscio; Evan and Avery Silverman; and Makayla and Elijah Kennedy. Colleen is mourned by a large extended family and a wealth of friends in England, Ireland, and across the US.

Colleen Margaret Honora Theresa came into our world on July 5, 1955 at Downing Court Nursing Home in Sheringham, Norfolk, England. Her older sister, Patsy, says she was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen, with glorious blonde curls and sparkling, smiling Irish eyes.

Colleen’s early years were spent moving from one air base to the next. She attended English primary school in Oxfordshire, Roman Catholic schools in California and Colorado, and a public junior high school in Maryland. In 1973, Colleen graduated from Lakenheath American High School in England. It was here that she formed deep and lasting friendships with other military brats—friendships that remained unbroken after 50 years.

Her nomadic life continued after she met a handsome young airman with a fabulous head of hair at RAF Mildenhall in England. Edward (AKA Swivel Hips) won Colleen’s heart somewhere between the Bird in Hand pub, the Galaxy Club, and the bowling alley where she worked on base. Ed flew back to Pope AFB and Colleen soon followed. They married in Dillon, SC, on May 14, 1977.

This young Air Force couple soon became an Air Force family when Shauna was born in 1978 in Fayetteville. Colleen and Ed decided to try civilian life for a while and moved back to Ed’s home town in Tell City, Indiana and then to Coraopolis, near Pittsburgh where her son Daniel was born in 1981. Ed chose to return to the Air Force and Michael was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Soon after the Philipps family were off to RAF Upper Heyford in England, where Colleen could finally get a decent cuppa. Our Colleen loved her tea!

From one air base to the next, wherever Colleen lived she filled her home with love and generosity. There was always room at her table to feed hungry mouths, warm beds for weary bodies, and a welcoming place to share laughter, mischief, and tears. Colleen gave freely to all, especially to those in need of an extra measure of kindness.

With two older siblings and two younger ones, Colleen was quite literally the center of her family. Colleen loved being a mom and a best friend to her three children. She was the family measuring stick, each child excited to reach the milestone of being taller than their beloved Aunt Dodo. Colleen’s loving and nurturing spirit grew even more when she discovered the unbounded joy of grandchildren. She was simply an amazing Memo.

Colleen Philipps was an Air Force daughter, an Air Force spouse, and an Air Force mom. She didn’t wear a uniform. She didn’t earn stripes and medals. She didn’t look like a warrior. But Colleen was fierce in her devotion to family and friends. She served her country and her family at Ed’s side, quietly and reliably and honorably.

"Though we need to weep your loss,

You dwell in that safe place in our hearts

Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Though your days here were brief,

Your spirit was alive, awake, complete.

We look toward you no longer

From the old distance of our names;

Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,

As close to us as we are to ourselves."

~ John O'Donohue

Family and friends will be gathering at Reeves Funeral Home on Saturday, 15 October between 2 – 4 p.m. to pay their respects, followed by an Irish Wake at the family home in Parkton. For Colleen’s family and friends across the globe, please join us by raising a glass or fixing a good strong cuppa! Sláinte!

Donations in Colleen’s name may be made to:

The Autism Society of North Carolina

https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

https://alzfdn.org/

The American Lung Association

https://www.lung.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reevesfunerals.com for the Philipps family.