CAROL PHILIPPS

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CAROL PHILIPPS Filled with grace in both life and death, Carol Philipps ascended to the astral plane on February 27, 2009 at the age of 44. Carol was born with an extraordinary body, mind and spirit. Each breath she took and every beat of her heart were defined by a congenital heart condition that, rather than limiting her, somehow expanded her capacity to love, cherish and find child-like wonder in all the nuances of life. Each day was marked by courage, strength, and quiet determination, including her last - the day she chose to die. She was whip smart and outrageously funny. Carol grew up in Fort Richmond and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg, where she was editor of the Uniter. After university Carol lived, worked and played in Vancouver for several years. Back in Winnipeg, she was the founding editor of Swerve, Winnipeg's first gay and lesbian newspaper. Carol met Virginia McKee in 1995 when she interviewed her for a cover story in Swerve. Their love spanned 14 years and was celebrated in marriage in 2007. It was a happy day! Carol also worked for Viewpoints Research in Vancouver and Winnipeg for eight years before her retirement in 2001. Carol overflowed with love for her kids, for the home she and Virginia made for one another and the friends and family who filled it. It is our honour to carry her remarkable spirit and gifts forward. Carol's love lives on in her beloved wife, Virginia, her parents, Sylvia and Gerry, sister Lisa (Bernard); her chosen family, Noreen, Naomi (Hiroshi), Nadene, Joyce, Jill, Dannie, Karen and Angela; her children, nephews Jonah, Dillon and Levi, and niece Savannah as well as a large extended family of relatives, friends and colleagues. She was predeceased by her Aunt Clara whose spirit shone in Carol's deep respect for the feelings and perspectives of children. Carol's posse would like to thank Dr. Cumming, Dr. Ritchie, Dr. Tam, Dr. Bshouty, Lynn Demky and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital ER and Health Sciences Centre MICU for their respectful medical care and to Karen Toole for walking with Carol on her spiritual journey. A celebration of Carol's life will be held on Friday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Augustine United Church (River at Osborne) with Revs. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd and Karen Toole officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Please consider a donation in honour of Carol's life to Doctors Without Borders. Goodnight, Sweet Prince, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2009