Edythe Bligh Phillips

Edythe Bligh Phillips, 79, of Bozeman (formerly of Laurel and Troy Montana), passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2007, following a short bout with pneumonia. She was born September 5, 1928 in Billings to Edythe Francis (Riddle) and Richard Bligh Busby. Bligh attended schools in Billings, MT and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1946. She met Rudy Lee Phillips after his return from active duty in the Navy and they were married on September 10, 1948 in Laurel, Montana. The couple made their home in Laurel, where they raised five children. Bligh later accompanied her husband to Santa Barbara, CA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Green River, WY where Rudy was involved with start-ups for Exxon energy projects. Following Rudy#8217;s retirement in 1986, they realized their life#8217;s dream by building their home on Angel Island on Bull Lake near Troy, MT. The location became the favorite gathering spot for family and loved ones. Bligh had many creative interests and an entrepreneurial spirit. She pursued business endeavors of her own, joint ventures with her husband, and also managed various retail stores. She was involved with multiple community activities in Laurel, such as VFW Auxiliary, St. Anthony#8217;s Parish, initiating AAU girl#8217;s track and women#8217;s softball and was instrumental in the founding of two bridge marathons in Laurel and one in Mesquite, NV. In her later years, she enjoyed bridge, arts and crafts and wintering in Nevada with her husband. In the fall of 2005, Rudy and Bligh relocated to Bozeman to be closer to their children. She will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her husband Rudy; five children, David Lee Phillips of Butte, MT, Susan Bligh Whittaker of Bozeman, MT, Coberly Anne Phillips of Bozeman, MT, Cory Jay (Debi) Phillips of Edgar, MT, and Glenn Richard (Julie) Phillips of Laurel, MT; twelve grandchildren, Scott, Kelly, Christina, Cory, Michael, Cassandra, Kristopher, David, Brian, Kelsey, Brittany and Espri; eight great grandchildren; her three sisters, Gayle (Angelo) Ramarez and Carol (Patrick) Hollywood, all of Spokane, WA, and Pat (Marshall) Warrington of Troy, MT; and many dear nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Dahl#8217;s Funeral Chapel, 300 Highland Blvd, Bozeman, MT at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in Bligh#8217;s name to one#8217;s favorite charity in lieu of flowers.