Cordelia Reardon Phillips, age 81, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, in Bellevue, Washington. She was born on March 21, 1943, in Ventura, California, to Genevieve "Patsy" and Joseph P. Reardon. May her memory comfort those who cherished her.

She attended Holy Cross Elementary School in Ventura and graduated in 1961 as Class Salutatorian from Marymount HS, Santa Barbara. In 1965 she received the California General Teaching Credential and a Bachelor of Science Degree Cum Laude in Social Studies from the University of Southern California.

Following graduation, departing from Rome, Cordelia explored Europe's major cities and landmarks with her mother and sister touring in a new Italian Fiat 1100 vehicle which they later imported to the states.

In September of 1965 she began her career as a Kindergarten teacher in Ventura for a year, then transferred into the Los Angeles City Schools system also as a Kindergarten teacher at Blythe Street School in Northridge for the next four years. Her last Kindergarten assignment in California was at Manchester Avenue Elementary School in Watts in 1969. Later, she taught first grade in Kodiak, Alaska and later a primary grade in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On December 27, 1969, she wed Lieutenant Delgene O. Phillips, USCG in a military wedding ceremony at the San Buenaventura Mission where her husband's Coast Guard Academy uniformed classmates as ushers and best man added a touch of formality to the event including an arch of swords by the classmates for Cordelia and Delgene as they were leaving the mission.

On May 14, 1971, the newlyweds relocated to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska to begin their family adventure. Over the years as her husband was transferred, they welcomed four children, each entering the world in a unique location: Jared was born in Kodiak, AK; Justin arrived in St. Petersburg, FL; Edwina was born in New Orleans, LA; and Everett came into the world in Juneau, AK.

After seven years of teaching, Cordelia was ready for her life's work - raising a family. She took great pride in her responsibilities as a mother and homemaker, dedicating her full attention to her family. Earlier at the age of 14, she had successfully hosted a Silver Tea for the Ladies of her parish. This skill proved invaluable later in life as she embraced her role as a military wife, when she entertained fellow Coast Guard spouses on remote Kodiak Island.

In the summer of 1967 Cordelia traveled again, this time to East Asia on a five week teacher's tour. In the 1990's, Cordelia opened up the world for her father in his later years by planning and accompanying him and her sisters on visits to family and countries far and wide. Her dedication to both him and her mother kept them both young . During their retirement, Cordelia and her husband embarked on a global adventure, exploring every ocean via cruise ships and taking land excursions to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica.

Cordelia was a life member of the Navy League and a member of Phi Lambda Theta (a national educational honorary for women). She was a gifted artisan and a proud member of the Smocking Guild of America, with a deep-seated enthusiasm for smocking, quilting, knitting, sewing, cooking, and playing the piano. During her time in Juneau as a Coast Guard spouse, she ventured into fabric sales. Subsequently, Cordelia spent 21 fulfilling years as a consultant for Longaberger Baskets, where she shared her passion for craftsmanship through home-based sales.

Cordelia's life was marked by her dedication to family and friends and is lovingly remembered by her children: Jared M. Phillips and his wife Loan along with their children Erin and Alexandria; Justin M. Phillips; Edwina F. Gonzalez and her husband Jesse along with their children Tobias, Evander, and Sabina; and Everett T. Phillips and his wife Julie with their child Ruby Gene. She is also survived by her siblings: Johanna Beltrami of Pisogne, Italy; Honora Litta Modignani of Ventura, California; and Timothy Reardon of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Additionally, she leaves behind nine nieces and nephews in America: Colin, Brendan, Maureen Bridget, Caitlan, Tanya, Greg Jr., Russ, Ryan and Aimee Maureen. She also left five Italian nephews, Patrick, Jerom, Sean, Michael and Joseph who thrived in the loving embrace of Cordelia's family during their summer stays at their aunt and uncle's homes in Alaska and Washington.

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Cordelia would remember her kind demeanor and warm smile. May her memory provide solace to all who cherished her.

A Celebration of Life for Cordelia will be at 2 P.M. on Saturday, 5 April 2025 at Crossroads Bible Church, 15815 SE 37th St. Bellevue, WA 98006 . The Celebration will be streamed at cbcbellevue.com/memorial and recorded. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to a charity of your choice or the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Cordelia Phillips