Eloise Mae Alden Phillips, a life well lived

Eloise Mae Alden Phillips passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in the embrace of her loving family at Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, N.C. She was born in Fargo, N.D., Nov. 6, 1928, to the late Mayme Theodora Anderson Alden and Clifford Roberts Alden.  

Eloise lived most of her early life in Coatesville, Pa., graduating from Scott High School Class of 194That summer, the family vacationed in Rehoboth Beach, where she met her future husband, Clifford Phillips, who was born and raised in Rehoboth. The next fall they married and made their home in Rehoboth.

In 1952, Cliff and Eloise moved their family back to Coatesville. Eloise attended Romansville Methodist Church, where she taught adult and children's Sunday school for almost 50 years. Eloise was a stay-at-home mom for 17 years and then took a job at Burroughs Corporation in Downingtown, Pa., where she earned promotions, retiring in 1990 as a department head in human resources.

In 2004, they moved closer to their oldest children in North Carolina, settling at the Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, where they enjoyed time with many new friends. As they did with their children, Eloise and Cliff loved and delighted in watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing sports and doing well in school and their other activities.  

Eloise is survived by her four children, her daughter, Robin Shobert (John) of Sarasota, Fla.; and sons, Fred (Madelyn) of Greensboro, N.C., Tim (Susan) of Sunset Beach, N.C., and Alan (Becky) of Swedesboro, N.J. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Her loving husband, Cliff, passed away in 2016 after 69 years of marriage.

This June, they will be interred together next to Cliff’s father and mother, Fred and Emily (Ewing) Phillips, at Epworth Methodist Church Cemetery in Rehoboth. As we bid farewell to Cliff and Eloise, the family finds comfort in the countless memories and life lessons that they leave with us.  

The family of Clifford and Eloise will be hosting a Celebration of Life at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach. Family and friends are invited to join; RSVP via email by May 15 to Tim Phillips at timphillips2017@gmail.com.  

Donations may be made to Twin Lakes Employee Assistance Fund, 3701 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC 27215.