In Memory—Virginia Phipps


Virginia Phipps

Virginia Phipps



Virginia R. Phipps
Nov. 2, 1924 – Aug. 7, 2018
Virginia “Ginny” Phipps, 93

WRITTEN BY TIM WAUD
Our beloved Virginia Phipps passed away on August 7, 2018. Virginia was an accomplished Oregon Masters swimmer and Tanker Towel award winner. In honor of Virginia, Oregon City Swim Team has created a scholarship in her honor. The Virginia Phipps scholarship is a one year membership to the Oregon City Tankers. Details will be coming later.

WRITTEN BY VIRGINIA’S FAMILY
Virginia Ruth Phipps was born to Harold and Dorothy Young Nov. 2, 1924 in Salem, Ore. She spent her youth growing up in the Pacific Northwest. After graduating high school in Athena, Ore., she went to the Northwest Business College in Portland, where she learned secretarial skills.

After completing the program she returned home to Milton-Freewater, Ore., and got a secretarial job at a nearby Army Air Corps base in Walla Walla, Wash. There she met, and fell in love with, our father, Maurice Phipps. They were married June 2, 1945. While Maurice went to school on the GI Bill, Virginia raised a toddler and worked part time to help support the family.

Virginia was a stay-at-home mom raising two more children, Thomas and their youngest Tracey, and supported the home front through several moves. When Tracey was in grade school, Virginia got to realize her lifelong dream of continuing her education. She enrolled part time in Chaffey Community College and then transferred to Pomona College in Southern California where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in English. Mom continued her education at Arizona State University, graduating with a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language. After graduating, Mom worked in the art department of a textbook company in the Bay Area.

As part of their post-retirement travels they participated in: tours of England, Wales, Ireland, Germany and France; cruises of the Caribbean and Alaskan waters; and Holiday Rambler RV Group caravans and gatherings. They especially enjoyed the many friends they made during their travels.
Virginia passed away in her sleep on Aug. 7, 2018; 20 days after Maurice’s passing. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Susan) and Tom (Molly); daughter, Tracey; and three grandchildren, Dan, Mary and Anne. (Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7, 2018)

Virginia Phipps’s  Swimming Accomplishments

WOMEN 90-94

Oregon SCY Records

50 Yd.Free            Virginia Phipps              04/12/15               1:11.16
100 Yd. Free         Virginia Phipps              04/12/15               2:45.85
200 Yd. Free         Virginia Phipps              04/12/15               5:28.54

NW Zone SCY Records

200 Yd. Free         Virginia Phipps              04/12/15               5:28.54

Oregon & NW Zone LCM Records

50 M. Free             Virginia Phipps              08/21/16               1:25.97
100 M. Free           Virginia Phipps              08/21/16               3:05.93

Virginia was on the USMS ‘Top 10’ list 6 times during 2015-2016.  She was also featured in the “Swimmer Spotlight” article in the July, 2016, issue of the Aqua Master.

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