Nancy C. Phillips Dies; Fished Much of Her Life

Nancy Carol Phillips

 

Nancy Carol Phillips, 83, took her last walk into the forest on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Nancy was born in Hydaburg, the daughter of Edward and Leona Hamilton. She was raised at Hydaburg and Waterfall Cannery along with her brothers and sisters. Her father was a salmon seiner and her mother worked the cannery line during the salmon season.

Nancy attended Sheldon Jackson High School.

She married Jake Phillips and they moved to Pelican in 1962. 

Nancy fished many years – for salmon, halibut and sablefish. She started fishing with Jake in 1956, trolling for salmon on the Lila C, and they went on to own and fish the F/V’s Kruzof, Aloha, Nancy K, Shamrock, and Lea. They fished the offshore waters of Southeast Alaska, and went fishing for tuna as far south as San Diego, fishing for halibut and salmon as far west as Kodiak Island, and seining for salmon out of Hydaburg.

Nancy was a fisherman’s daughter and an equal partner power trolling for salmon with Jake, with their young sons aboard. She was a sight to see, gaffing salmon and pulling them aboard, the whole gambit – cleaning, icing and unloading.

The crew who worked with Nancy knew her to outwork many of them. And she was the “best cook,” providing many a hot meal for the hardworking crew! Her sons and grandsons inherited her work ethic.

After retiring from a life on the sea, Nancy and Jake enjoyed their days at their Sunnyside cabin near Pelican, watching the grandchildren grow before their elder years moved them to Sitka.

Nancy was a renowned jigsaw puzzle worker, and she enjoyed playing cards with her lady friends. She loved spending time with family – family was everything to her. Nancy got much enjoyment seeing her great-grandchildren play and appreciated her grandsons bringing their kids around.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Jack D. Phillips; son James E. Phillips (Patricia); sisters Jessie Carlson and Arlene Carle; brother Matthew Carle; sister-in-law Bonnie Grant; brother-in-law George Phillips; and daughters Joanne Glendenning (Stuart), Maura O’Brien Phillips, Penney Phillips and Debbie Reeder (Fred).

Also surviving are her  grandsons James Phillips (Kyla), Jordan Phillips (Mercedes), Frederick Phillips (Shari), Carl Phillips, Jeb Phillips (Angela Bertagnoli), and Aaron Phillips (Carolyn Kvernvik); granddaughter Crystal Stoner (Dennis); five great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her son John C. Phillips; parents Ed and Leona Hamilton; sisters Frances Brown, Willa Randall, Evelyn Hill and Barbara Leask; and brothers Jonathan, Edward, and William Hamilton. 

In honoring Nancy’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a favorite charity.

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