Virginia Phillips passed away July 13, 2026, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1923, she was descended from the Scotts and Powells of Nelsonville.

Her 103 years were filled with books, music, and international travel, which she continued to pursue well into her 80s. She was also a gifted seamstress, cook, and musician, a voracious reader, and a steadfast fan of both Ohio State football and the sports teams of her adopted home of Washington, DC. 

Her adventurous spirit led her to an early job working for the U.S. Army Special Services in Germany, where she formed friendships that lasted over 60 years and into subsequent generations. After retiring from the Washington, DC Public Library, she spent many years as a valued volunteer in the National Symphony Orchestra Library. Fiercely independent, opinionated, generous, and loyal, she was a woman ahead of her time in many ways. Virginia will continue to be an inspiration to her friends, who miss her dearly.