Evelyn Phillips, 87, formerly of Orion, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Vista, Calif.

Evelyn Lucille Curfman was born Dec. 20, 1934, in Chicago to Howard and Mildred (Evermon) Curfman. She excelled as a clarinet player and pianist, once playing a four-hand piano piece alone on a local radio broadcast when the other performer was a no-show. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Chicago in 1953.

Evelyn married John Guinee on June 27, 1953, in Chicago. She moved to Davenport later that year. They had one son.

She married Robert LeBuhn on June 1, 1957, in Aledo, Ill., and became stepmother to his two young sons.

She married William Murray on March 12, 1968, in Bettendorf. They had twin sons.

She married Burtton Phillips on March 19, 1982, in Las Vegas. He died Dec. 30, 2013.

Evelyn held secretarial and human resource jobs at several businesses, including a law firm, Quad-City Die Casting and McClure Engineering. She worked at Black Hawk College from 1985 to 1992.

After retiring, she served several terms on the college's Board of Trustees, as its Chair from 2011-2013.

An accomplished feeder of crowds, Evelyn was famous for her Italian Baked Potatoes, homemade chili (later known as 'Burt's chili'), and hospitality to all. As a retirement hobby, she collected and sold vintage costume jewelry.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James Curfman, and her husband Burt.

She is survived by her sons Wayne (Patti) Guinee, Bettendorf; Bill (Christina) and Jim Murray, Vista, Calif.; stepsons Jeff LeBuhn (Sabine Meck), Donaueschingen, Germany and Alan (Marcy) Phillips, Monmouth, Ill.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She will be buried privately at Moline Memorial Park, with a celebration of life to be held later. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, is handling the arrangements.