Carolann Rose Phillips

Carolann Rose Phillips, 78, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, passed away on February 15, 2016. A celebration of her life will take place on February 20, 2016 at 2:30pm in Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. She called Santa Barbara home for 49 years and loved every minute of them.

Carolann was born on July 29, 1937 in San Francisco, California to Bernie and Phyllis (Bon) Rossi. The family lived in Berkeley, where Carolann and her siblings enjoyed a loving if not mischievous childhood. While attending UC Berkeley for undergraduate education, she worked at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory, where she met her husband, Llad Phillips. They married on June 28, 1958. The family relocated to Boston in 1962, where Carolann completed her undergraduate degree at Boston University and learned to haggle at the outdoor markets, a skill she put to good use throughout her life.

Ms. Phil began her 39-year career as a teacher in 1964 in Bolton, Mass. Being a teacher brought Ms. Phil immense joy, and she happily shared stories and anecdotes about the students she loved so well. In 1967, the family relocated to Santa Barbara, where she joined Wilson Elementary Wildcats under Principal Frank Van Schaick and met many of her lifelong friends. In 1975, she settled at Franklin School, under Principal Blas Garza and Assistant Principal Bill Van Schaick, where she stayed for the remainder of her teaching career. Room 2 became an institution unto itself, open for any student past, present or future to drop in before or after school. Ms. Phil was an active member of the Franklin School PTA and ADK, and won Santa Barbara Teacher of the Year in 1993-94.

After retiring in 2003, Carolann filled her days with jewelry making, long walks and breakfast burritos with friends, and her dog and boon companion, Scotch. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Llad; her daughters, Jackie, Sharon, and Colleen: her five siblings, Phil, Barbara, Virginia, Bert, and Bernie; her seven grandchildren, Brian, Sarah, Kyle, Declan, Kieren, Phelan, and Gabriel; and more nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends than can be counted.

Memorial donations may be made to Transition House or the Santa Barbara chapter of ADK.