Evonne Leota Barrett of McKinleyville was born in Paonia, Colorado on January 16, 1939. After a long battle with illness, Dr. Evonne Phillips passed away on July 30, 2015 in Eureka.

Evonne spent most of her childhood in Colorado with short stints in Georgia, Florida and Missouri. In spite of numerous moves growing up Evonne made many friends wherever she lived. She was her senior class prom queen! Evonne loved horses, riding and her collie, Lady.

Evonne graduated from Boulder High School in 1956. She married Keith Phillips in 1961, soon after had her first child, Katrina, and moved to Seattle, Washington where she would later receive her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in Applied Anthropology.

Evonne spent many years raising her three children, Katrina, Annie and Michael, and being a professor’s wife. The family lived in Seattle, Washington, Pasadena, California, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. In Las Cruces she helped start a school, Pecos Street School, in hopes that her children would have a rich, diverse, and engaging education. After divorcing in 1974, she moved her three children back to Pasadena in order to be near her dear friend, Judy Raftery.

Evonne returned to school in 1982 and earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1989. After graduation, Evonne moved to Humboldt County to be near her daughter Annie. She soon began her practice as a chiropractor in Arcata, where she was a passionate, caring and holistic healer.

Always interested and active in politics, equality, peace and justice for all, Evonne spent much of her time in the ‘60s and ‘70s as a peace activist. She fought for global peace and an end to nuclear weapons, and fought against police brutality in the Los Angeles area.

Evonne was a voracious reader, keen bird watcher, protector of the environment and loved her dogs dearly and enjoyed her garden immensely.

Evonne loved her children and grandchildren fiercely.

Evonne is survived by her brother Larry Barrett (Sarah Jane), sister-in-law Jan Walden, daughters Katrina Thernell and Annie Lindquist (Tom) and her son Michael Phillips (Ginger) and her grandsons, Russell and Matthew Lindquist and Joshua Thernell. She was preceded in death by her brother George Barrett and her parents Mildred and Elbert Barrett.

A memorial service will be held at Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. It will be followed immediately by a reception celebrating Evonne’s life.

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The obituary above was submitted by Evonne Phillips’ daughter. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.