Martha Macleay Phillippi

Barbara Martha Macleay Phillippi 95 August 24, 1920 April 8, 2016.

Marty Phillippi died peacefully at her son’s home in Grants Pass, Oregon at the age of 95.

She was born in 1920 in the northwest Portland landmark, the “Mackenzie House,” later known as the William Temple house, built by her grandparents in 1895. Marty was a granddaughter of Portland civic and business leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleay and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A.J. Mackenzie whose legacies include the founding of what are now known as U.S. Bancorp, OHSU and Macleay Park. Marty’s mother was Barbara Mackenzie Macleay, and her father, Roderick Macleay, was one of the first internationally known golfers from the Pacific Northwest.

In her early years Marty lived with her family in Wedderburn, at the mouth of the Rogue River, where her father owned and operated one of the first salmon canneries on the west coast. In 1932 Marty was the flower girl during the celebration of the opening of the first bridge across the mouth of the Rogue River.

The Macleay Family moved back to northwest Portland when the cannery failed during the Great Depression. Marty sometimes said that this event led to her father’s death from a broken heart. As a young teen, Marty attended Miss Catlin’s School for Girls. An avid skier, Marty described skiing at Mt. Hood as “hike a mile, swoosh.” She remembered eating lunch with her friends in the basement of the partially built Timberline Lodge after climbing the liftless slopes on ski skins.

Marty attended Mills College and when WWII began she enlisted in the Navy as a WAVE.

Marty met her future husband, produce broker, Dick Phillippi, during a house party in Gearhart in 1948, where each was assigned as the date of a sister and brother. With eyes only for each other, they abandoned their intended partners, dated for six weeks and were married.

In 1954 daughter Jane joined the family, followed two years later by son Lincoln “Link.” In addition to being a homemaker, Marty developed her talents as a painter and served as a docent at the Japanese Gardens. She and Dick felt no one should ever go hungry and were volunteers for Meals on Wheels and supporters of the Oregon Food Bank.

She felt strongly about the historical mistreatment of American Indians and was a champion for Native American causes her entire life.

After Dick’s retirement in the 1970s they spent winters in the California desert town of Borrego Springs, and Marty became involved in local archaeological research. She was thrilled to participate in a dig that yielded fossils from a wooly mammoth but never realized her dream of unearthing a saber-toothed cat.

During this time of leisure they became grandparents to Aaron, Roby, and Laura Babcock; and Andrew, Annamaria, and Tess Macleay Phillippi.
Marty was blessed with a rich family life but also withstood great sorrow, losing her daughter Jane and husband Dick only a few months apart in 2000. In spite of hardships and loss, she maintained a positive outlook and was an unfailing source of strength to her family.

In 2008 Marty joined Link’s family in Grants Pass where she enjoyed her extended family and new community.

Marty had a dual nature. She was outdoorsy and refined. She had a Scot’s frugality yet extended generosity widely. She worked to sustain multi-generational friendships and was excited to forge new relationships.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Chapel, 147 NW 19th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209; Monday, April 18, 2016 2:00 PM

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Marty’s name to charities:

Chosen International, established by Grants Pass friend, Cindy Bigelow, offers support for adopted and foster teens (P.O. Box 5515, Grants Pass, OR 97527)

Yamba Abaana, co-founded by her friend and physician, Dr. Bruce Murray, supports the Rubanda Solidarity School in Uganda (P.O. Box 880, Grants Pass, OR 97528)

The American Indian College Fund, an organization important to Marty for many years (8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221)