Elleo Hittell Phillips passed away in the early morning hours of April 1, 2016 at Touchmark Assisted Living Facility. She was 94 years of age.
Elleo was born in Stockton, California on January 21, 1922, and was the oldest child of Elgin Theodore Hittell and Elleanor Hueter Hittell. She grew up in Berkeley and graduated from the University of California in 1943. Elleo was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She spent summers at the family vacation home on Echo Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where she believed that she was as close to heaven as she was ever going to get.
In 1942, Elleo met Naval Lt. Tom Phillips on a blind date. They were married in December 1943 in Berkeley. After the war, they made their home in Galveston, Texas. The family of five children was her full-time occupation. Life in the Phillips home had two seasons: Texas Aggie football and water skiing. In 1972, Tom and Elleo relocated with the two youngest children to Covington, Louisiana. They traveled around the world until Tom’s death in 2007. Elleo moved to Helena, Montana in 2008.
Elleo will be deeply missed by her children and grandchildren. She was an accomplished seamstress and created exquisite needlepoint. She loved family gatherings, dogs, and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.
Elleo was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years. She is survived by son Tom, Jr. and wife Betty of Dripping Springs, Texas; daughter Lou and husband Marion Thompson of Helena, Montana; son Ted and wife Renita of Brooksville, Florida; son Terry and partner Sherrel Alack of Mandeville, Louisiana; and daughter Jocelyn and husband Tom Cunningham of Cincinnati, Ohio. Elleo was Nana to eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Chris) Henderson, Allison (Matt) Connorton, Catherine (Blayke) Humphrey, Emily Thompson, Amy (Matt Grummer) Thompson, Megan Thompson, Tom Cunningham, Mary Cunningham, and her four great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Touchmark Assisted Living for their kind and gentle care and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their support and guidance.
Cremation has taken place. The family will gather at a later date at Echo Lake.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Nancy McGrorty says
Lou,
I was saddened to learn of the loss of your mom. Although I did not know her well, I always enjoyed the time I did spend with her. She was a very special lady. I am sure you have many memories of great times with her to help you through this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy to your entire family. ~
Amanda sather says
Elleo will be missed deeply. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends. I will forever keep her memory and stories close to my heart.