Biography

Caroline Hobart Gray Thalmann Phillips
A life well lived

Caroline Hobart Gray Thalmann Phillips of Boca Raton, Florida died February 18, 2014. Born in 1917 in Paterson, New Jersey, the youngest of four children, to May Louise Wiske, from Brooklyn, New York and Alexander Paisley Gray, from Grenoch, Scottland. Caroline graduated from Chatham Hall, The Masters School-Dobbs Ferry, The Froebel League, and Russell Sage College. From her youthful summers in Bay Head, New Jersey to her adult year summers in Drakes Island, Maine, Caroline always enjoyed relaxing by the sea with her family. The Bay Head Bubbles brought great pleasure throughout her life! In March 1943 Caroline married Rev. Canon Frederick Edward Thalmann (32 years, Rector St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Troy, New York). She was a Red Cross nurse volunteer during WWII. Caroline and Fred moved to Florida in 1977 and enjoyed eleven more fun years together before Fred's death in 1988. Caroline married Walter Roy Phillips in 1991 and they enjoyed ten good years before Roy died in 2002. Her 50 year passion for helping children learn to read began with her first teaching position at St. Luke's School (New Canaan, Connecticut). She touched the lives of several generations of students, teaching for the Troy Public Schools (Troy, New York), and Zion Lutheran School (Deerfield Beach, Florida). Caroline was an avid golfer with three hole-in -one celebrations. Chairing the ladies golf committees of the Troy Country Club (Troy, New York), Deer Creek Country Club, and Deerfield Beach Country Club (Deerfield Beach, Florida) brought her many hours of pleasure; as did the numerous bridge and gin games, and social evenings with friends. Her greatest love was the time she shared with her family. She is survived by her four children: Elizabeth Gail Eger (Ron) of Alexandria, Virginia), Frederick Edward Thalmann, Jr (Barbara Mandato) of Pittstown, New Jersey, David Alan Thalmann of Newport, Rhodes Island, Laura May Warner (Steve) of West Palm Beach, Florida; eight grandchildren: Christopher Eger (Ali), Darren Eger (Amanda), Alison Thalmann (Andrew Wright), Mark Patten (Erika), Timothy Thalmann (Danielle), Alexander Patten (Megan), Ryan Patten (Andrea), Grayson Patten; four great grandchildren: Robert, Maddy, Resse Caroline, and Ethan. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution(Estahockee Chapter),the Eastern Star, and the Junior League of Troy, New York. Caroline lived her life "to have a cheerful outlook and rise above it". Funeral arrangements by the Gary Panoch Funeral Home. Caroline's Funeral will be 2 o'clock Saturday March 1st at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (211 Trinity Place West Palm Beach, Florida). A Memorial Service will be held at Edgewater Pointe Estates (23315 Bluewater Circle Boca Raton, Florida) on Monday March 3rd at 10:30 a.m.
A family graveside service and celebration of her beautiful life will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy New York at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Caroline's life may be sent to the Brandywine River Museum & Conservancy (Rt 1 Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317) or Hospice of Palm Beach County (5300 East Avenue West Palm Beach, Florida 33407)


Arrangements by
Gary Panoch Funeral Home and Cremations of Boca Raton
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com