Shirley Sue (Williamson) Philip

MISSOULA, MT – Shirley Sue Philip, died in her apartment at The Springs Assisted Living in Missoula on May 20, 2017 with her daughter by her side.

She was born May 3, 1929 in Ronan, MT to Homer T. Williamson and Nellie A. (Marcy) Williamson.  She attended school in St. Ignatius and Missoula.   She was the only daughter with three siblings growing up on a small farm.

After school she moved to Yakima, WA and then a few years later she moved to Hamilton, MT with her daughter.  Hamilton is where she got a job at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory and met her husband of 44 years, Dr. Robert Philip.  They both enjoyed traveling and lots of golf and skiing.  Shirley was a Big Sky state golf champion as well as champion of the Hamilton Golf Course on numerous occasions.  She also enjoyed playing the piano and organ and was a substitute Organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton.  When her husband Bob passed away Jan 30, 2013 she moved from their home on Golf Course Road, Hamilton to an apartment at The Springs Assisted Living in Missoula.  Her grand piano at the house on Golf Course Road would not be able to follow her to her apartment, so she donated the piano to Hellgate High School in Missoula.

She also enjoyed her large flower garden on Golf Course Road, needle work and volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Dean Williamson and Marcy Williamson.

She is survived by her daughter Shawn Kretchmer (John) Yakima, WA; brother Homer (Smiley) Williamson, Missoula; step children Neil (Donna) Philip, Lewistown, MT;  Elaine (George) Lipp, Rochester, NY; Kim Philip, Hamilton; Matt (Margaret) Philip, Woodinville, WA.

Her daughter would like to thank the staff at The Springs in Missoula and Compassus Hospice in Missoula for their support.

The family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.