Eleanor “Ele” Phillips
1935 - 2026
Eleanor “Ele” Louise Dorn Phillips (age 90) passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 17, 1935, she was the eldest of two daughters. A lifelong passion for adventure was ignited when she spent a semester abroad in Bad Reichenhall, Germany, as a high school AFS exchange student.
She enrolled at the University of Michigan and, as a freshman, won the prestigious Hopwood Award for Excellence in Writing. She graduated with Honors in three years with a BGS degree while working part time. Upon graduating, she married the love of her life, Dr. Richard Phillips, and they immediately embarked on a five year adventure living in Caripito, Venezuela. It was there that they developed a love of exotic cultures, world wide travel, global cuisine and beautiful orchids.
Upon returning to the United States, she lovingly raised two daughters and was an active leader in her community, becoming President of a local chapter of the Minnesota League of Women Voters. In 1977 she earned a Master’s Degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management as one of only three females in her class, and went on to a long and successful career as a Materials and Production Planning Manager at Digital, Compaq and Hewlett Packard Corporations.
Upon retirement at age 67, Ele and Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream of living in a breathtaking waterfront property in Westport, Massachusetts. Together, they built a home that served as a popular gathering spot for friends, family and neighbors for many years. Her active retirement was an inspiration to many as she pursued a full slate of hobbies and passions, including bridge, gardening, cooking, Spanish lessons, traveling, orchid growing and wine judging. She was a Life Master at bridge and an American Wine Society Judge.
Most importantly, Ele had a warmth and friendliness about her that instantly made people feel welcome and at ease. Her large, bright, infectious smile radiated across her face. She loved to regale others in long, detailed tales. During her entire life she worked tirelessly to make the house a home, cooking five star meals and bustling around the house whistling. She delighted in getting to know each of her six grandchildren individually, and was always up for any adventure or outing. She was truly a bright light in the family and will be sorely missed.
Ele is survived by her husband, Richard, with whom she recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. She is also survived by her two daughters, Gael Philips and Dawn (Steve) Kerr; grandchildren Elliot Spence, Isabel (Matt) Spence-Thomas, Nathaniel (Rachel) Spence, Ryan Kerr (Mei Zhang), Janine Kerr (Matt Geary), and Bradley Kerr; sister Patricia (Don) Lamison, and nephews Andy (Susan) Adams and Michael (Rose) Adams. She was predeceased by her parents Dr. Harold F. and Celia Camine Dorn.
Memorial Services will be held at Potter Funeral Home at 81 Reed Road in Westport, MA. Visitation hours will be Monday, July 6th from 5-6:30 P.M.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 7th at 11:00 A.M., followed by a burial at Beech Grove Cemetery, 947 Main Road, Westport, MA.