Martha Philips Schilling

Martha Philips Schilling, always known as Martie, passed away on March 31, 2024, in Walla Walla at the age of 95. Martie was born to Richard T. and Doris H. Philips on May 17, 1928, in Seattle, Washington. The family lived in Madrona near Lake Washington and had a vacation cabin on Lake Sammamish, where she became an expert and lifelong swimmer.

Martie graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle in 1946 and from Whitman College in 1950. Looking for some adventure after college, she and her best friend applied for and accepted jobs with the State Department in Washington, DC ("just lots of typing and filing," she sometimes reminded us, no diplomacy). After two years of East Coast fun and exploration, including dancing at President Eisenhower's inaugural ball, she returned to Seattle.

At a Whitman Homecoming party in Walla Walla, Martie met Kenneth Schilling, a Whitman music professor and director of what was then called the Conservatory of Music. They married in 1954 and soon welcomed daughters Janet and Nancy. With Ken's son, Steven, they were a happy family of five. In 1959 they built a home on Bonnie Brae Street, where Martie and Ken lived until 2001, when Ken passed away. Martie continued living there before moving to Wheatland Village three years ago.

In 1962-63 the family spent Ken's sabbatical year in Salzburg, Austria. While Ken studied music, Martie learned German. They made dear Austrian friends, some of whom even visited them in Walla Walla over the years. Martie later earned a teaching certificate and taught German and English at Saint Paul's School for Girls, DeSales High School, and Walla Walla High School. After Ken's retirement, Martie and Ken established a vocal music scholarship at Whitman College. She made it a point to meet each scholarship recipient and loved attending their recitals.

Martie was smart and inquisitive. If it was in the news, she wanted to talk about it. A lifelong learner, she took Quest classes, traveled with Elder Hostel, and added her name to the waiting list at the public library for the latest nonfiction (and fiction) bestsellers. She was a founding member of MLB (Martinis, Lunch, and Books), which continues to meet today. Between 1980 and 2023 she read more than 2,000 books (we have the list). Who knows how many thousands she read before she started keeping track?

Martie loved and supported the Walla Walla community. She donated gallons of blood to the American Red Cross and volunteered at Kirkman House, at the Carnegie Center for the Arts, and in the local elementary schools, testing the eyesight of hundreds of children. She supported the Blue Mountain Humane Society as a kitten foster mom and outlived many cherished cats of her own. She helped compile a series of books about Walla Walla's historic homes. She biked with Ken and with a group of other Walla Wallans, and served on a local bicycle safety committee. Martie was a 70-year member of PEO and the Delta Gamma sorority. She played social bridge for decades, until she was 92. Her many, many friendships were strong and lasting.

At home, she made everything look easy. She planted an enormous backyard garden that produced zucchini, cucumbers, beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, rhubarb, raspberries, apricots, and flowers She kept the neighborhood creek (which ran through their yard) running smoothly by regularly wading into it to clear rocks and weeds. She sewed beautiful dresses for her daughters to wear to dances and in piano recitals. She hung wallpaper, made curtains, and painted walls. She played all manner of word games, relished a good pun, and could always make us laugh. A curious and energetic traveler, when she was 80 she and Nancy went on a safari in Tanzania. A couple of years later she and Janet toured the Civil War battlefields of the American South. And at 85, she took the whole family on a two-week Alaskan cruise. She loved her family beyond measure.

She is survived by her daughters, her stepson, and their spouses: Janet Schilling Mowery and David Mowery of Novato, CA; Nancy Schilling and Rich Shine of San Diego, CA; and Steven and JoAnna Schilling of Sierra Madre, CA. She is also survived by her nephews Peter Philips and Christopher Philips, their families, and two step-grandchildren. Her younger brother, Richard H. Philips, predeceased her. In her last years, Martie added two "daughters" to her family, her beloved caregivers Adela Garcia and Ana Dicochea, who remain sisters to Janet, Nancy, and Steven.

To those who want to remember Martie with a charitable contribution, please donate to a charity of your choice or to the Kenneth and Martha Schilling Vocal Scholarship at Whitman College.

Martie lived a long and happy life. She was a treasured friend to many. We, her family, miss her every day. We will celebrate her life on June 8 at 4 p.m. at the Baker Faculty Center on the Whitman College campus. We invite Martie's friends to join us.