Abigail "Abie" Phillips

Abigail “Abie” Marie Phillips passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 3, 2025. She was born in Chicago on May 6, 1988, and was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, and friend. She is preceded in death by her father, John Phillips, and her grandparents, John Murphy and John and Carol Phillips. She is survived by her mother, Margo Murphy Parkes, and stepfather, Shawn Parkes; her brothers, John Mycroft Phillips (Jenna Gorman) and Wyatt Phillips; her stepbrothers, Zach and Harrison Parkes; and her cherished nephews, Johnny and Dean Phillips. She leaves behind many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Abie dedicated her career to preserving knowledge and fostering education. She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell College and her Master’s in Library Science from Dominican University. She was an Archivist at Sacred Heart Schools for over a decade. Her colleagues did not hesitate to ask for her support, whatever the subject, and Abie relished a challenge, especially if it meant a deep dive into Sacred Heart history. She connected with students of all ages. She made learning fun by completely being herself: humorous, creative, and down to earth - a winning combination that the students loved. Abie was a childhood brain cancer survivor, and despite the challenges that followed, she bravely pushed forward, building a life filled with love, joy, and compassion. Her adventurous spirit took her to incredible places. She swam with dolphins in Hawaii, explored medieval castles and ancient sites in Ireland, became a certified scuba diver, took sword classes with a Tai Chi grandmaster, and once caught a 4.5-foot hammerhead shark, winning the boat pool for the largest catch of the day. Abie found happiness in the little things—playing Nintendo Switch, enjoying nature walks, spending summers at Art 4 All Camp, and even indulging in good gossip. She loved Legos and sharing them with her nephews. She liked to bake; at family gatherings, her homemade apple pie and raspberry cordials were legendary and longed for. Abie had a special way of making life brighter for those around her and made deep connections with relatives and strangers wherever she went. Her heart was filled with joy when she was with her cousins and nephews, whom she loved to spoil. Whether caring for aging relatives, buying groceries for immigrant families and meals for homeless people, or simply lending a listening ear, she gracefully found ways to make life better for all who were near her. For Abie, life was about feeling love, spreading joy, and embracing the moments that mattered. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her kindness, humor, and unwavering love for her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center or The American Brain Tumor Association. Services are Sunday, March 9th at St. Gertrude Church, 1420 W. Granville Ave, Chicago IL, 60660. Gathering at 12:00 pm, Memorial Service at 1:00 pm. There will be a reception following the Memorial Service in the social hall.

Abigail "Abie" Phillips

May 6, 1988 - March 3, 2025

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Abigail "Abie" Phillips

May 6, 1988 - March 3, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

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