Barbara Roche Phillips

life story

A loving mother ... and much more

Barbara, with help from husband Bill, raised seven rambunctious children while teaching full time. Her kids still marvel at how she pulled it off.

Pictured, standing from left, Matt, Michael, Mary, Caroline, Cathy, Susan and Greg.

About Barbara

Barbara Roche Phillips, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and retired teacher, died September 1, 2019, at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, MD. She was 93.

Barbara, who lived most recently in Baldwin, MD, was born in Boston to John and Molly (nee O’Toole) Roche. She graduated from Boston Teachers College and attended Boston College, where she met her future husband, William Robert Phillips.

The couple raised seven children while she taught for 28 years, primarily at Janney Elementary School in Washington, D.C. After living in Japan while William served in the Air Force, the family lived primarily in Greenbelt, MD, and Washington, D.C.

A lifelong learner and critical thinker, she attended writing classes well into her 80s and read the Washington Post every day until the end of her life. She embraced technology and even used social media as a way to stay in touch with family and former students.

Barbara was a warm, social person who could talk to anybody about anything, a trait that attracted many friends.

Her faith and adoring, supportive family helped her cope with many health struggles, including mobility limitations and memory loss in later years.

Survivors include her seven children, Caroline Rhodes (Jack) of Petaluma, CA; Mary Anders of Rockville, MD; Catherine Walrod (Jim) of Baldwin; Michael Phillips of San Francisco; Matthew Phillips (Amy) of Germantown, MD; Susan Fitzpatrick (Jim) of North Potomac, MD; and Gregory Phillips of Rockville. Survivors also include 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William, and by her siblings, John, Robert, Kathleen and Austin.