Dorothy Eileen Phillips

Dorothy Eileen Philips passed into eternal life with our Lord and Savior on 1-23-2026 at the age of 95 years. Dorothy was born on 8-8-1930 in Perry, Iowa to Ralph Phillips and Ethel (Ellett) Phillips.

Dorothy grew up in Perry, IA attending elementary school through high school graduation. She established life long friendships with girlfriends she made in elementary school. Following graduation from Perry High School, she left Perry to start new chapters in her life beginning at Iowa Teachers College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. She earned a Master’s Degree (M.A.) from the University of Chicago in 1969 and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking Program, Rutgers University in 1977.

Dorothy worked as a teacher for two years and then moved to Chicago to work as a librarian at the United States Federal Reserve Bank. Dorothy retired from the bank after decades of service. Shortly after retiring she relocated to Colorado to be near friends, including one of her Perry girlfriends.

Dorothy was a Christian and active in the United Methodist Church in Chicago, IL and Denver, CO, holding many positions in support of each church and her faith.

Following her retirement Dorothy traveled the United States and to Europe by auto, rail, and plane. She cruised to the Caribbean and Alaska. She traveled with her childhood girlfriends and new friends.

Dorothy was an avid reader. She visited the public library every four to six weeks, checking out four to six books on each visit. She would read the local paper daily and subscribed to and read the weekly Perry Chief newspaper up to her passing.

Dorothy was a strong, independent, intelligent, and goal oriented woman with a wonderful wit and a beautiful smile.

Survived by many cousins, including David Burrell and Cindy Hoffman; dear friends Jeffrey and Louise Mahan, Susan Adnan Koch, and many other friends.

Preceded in death by brother Donald (Jean) Phillips; parents Ralph and Ethel Phillips.

Interment will be at Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry, Iowa.