Vi Phillips
Longtime inspirational basket weaver Vi Phillips of Freeland died Nov. 25, 2001, after suffering a long and difficult illness.
With her love of nature and crafts, basketry was a natural for Phillips, who lived on Whidbey Island for more than 30 years. Weaving, collecting baskets and inspiring other basket weavers throughout the Northwest and nation for more than 25 years, she began this love after realizing that, she too, could make baskets. After researching craft books, meeting with basket weavers and studying baskets by tearing them apart, she met with Native American and traditional basket weavers to learn about materials and weaving styles.
By 1980, Phillips was traveling the country with a van full of baskets, bringing together groups of people interested in learning basketry. This inspired Joyce Johnson to form the Vi Phillips Basketry Guild in 1982. Through basketry, she met many weavers and enjoyed teaching about how to weave and how to gather and prepare materials for weaving.
Phillips primarily focused on weaving traditional baskets in the Appalachian, Nantucket and Native American styles, exhibiting her work in local galleries and shows. Although she is no longer weaving, her friends hope that through local exhibits, her work, materials, teachings and inspiration will continue.
Phillips is survived by her husband Bob and daughter Dierdre, both of Freeland. There will be a remembrance at her family’s home on New Year’s Day for family and friends.
Arrangements are under the care of Visser Funeral Home.
Elva E. Watson
Former Navy WAVE Elva E. Watson of Coupeville died Dec. 4, 2001, at Careage of Whidbey. She was 80.
Born in Rayville, La., Oct. 6, 1921, to Buford Eager and Sarah Vaughen Eager, Watson joined the Navy after graduating high school and served in World War II.
While in the Navy, Watson met Floyd H. Watson, whom she married Feb. 5, 1944, in New Orleans. Following their honorable discharges from the military, the couple resided in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they owned and operated a service station until 1955. Later they moved to Gurnee, Ill., where they owned a mobile home sales company. They then moved to San Jose, Calif., in 1965, to begin Floyd’s Mobile Home Service. Finally retiring in 1993, the couple hit the road in their motor home. Floyd died in 1993, and soon after Elva moved to Coupeville to be near her son and his family.
Watson is survived by a son, Gene Watson of Coupeville; a daughter, Carmen Bethel of Sacramento, Calif.; three grandchildren, Erica Watson of Clovis, Calif., and Jason and Andy Watson of Whidbey Island; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Watson was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be no services. Private inurnment will be scheduled for a later date. Memorials can be made to the American Red Cross. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
