Bermuda’s St. George’s Parish community lost a pillar of service on Sunday, 12 September 2023, when Mrs. Else May Marie Phipps, 78, passed away after a brief illness.

Mrs. Phipps spent more than four decades as a history teacher at St. George’s School, inspiring generations of students with her passion for the island’s heritage. In the 1990s she co‑founded the Island Youth Mentorship Initiative, a volunteer‑led program that paired local teens with mentors from diverse professional backgrounds. The initiative has since helped over 1,500 young Bermudians secure scholarships and career guidance.

Community leaders and former students alike praised her dedication. “Mrs. Phipps was a quiet force for good,” said former St. George’s mayor, Dr. Ingrid Thompson. “Her work with the mentorship program and her lifelong commitment to preserving our history have left an indelible mark on Bermuda.”

Her family announced that a memorial service will be held at the St. George’s Parish Church on 20 September, with a public tribute scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday. The island’s residents are invited to honour her legacy by continuing the volunteer spirit she championed.

The Bermuda Observer extends its deepest condolences to Mrs. Phipps’ family, friends and the many communities that benefited from her lifelong dedication.