Martha (Mimi) Koller Phillips Pierre, a longtime resident of Skaneateles, died peacefully with her family at her side on March 24, 2022. She fought a valiant 10-year battle with cancer and was considered a miracle patient.
Mimi was born on May 23, 1935, to Emil and Martha Koller. She grew up in Weehawken, NJ, in a house overlooking the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. When she was 16, her parents bought a dairy farm in Pompey Center, and the family moved to Central New York.
Mimi married in 1957, and had three children: Colleen (Hyland), Mary Ellen (Wiley) and Jim Phillips.
When the children were grown, Mimi graduated from Syracuse University and worked as a social worker at the Syracuse Housing Authority until her retirement in 2000. She always went above and beyond her duties and many of her clients became her friends.
Both of her parents were born in Switzerland and Mimi was very proud of her Swiss heritage. She became an avid traveler, visited many countries around the world, and maintained a passionate interest in politics and current events.
Mimi will be remembered for her constant love, her generosity and her passion for helping others.
In addition to her parents, Mimi was predeceased by her younger brother Eddie. Her sister, Debbie Donigan, passed away in August. She is survived by her sister Jeane (Bob) Rinker and brother-in-law Steve Donigan.
Mimi is also survived by her beloved daughters Colleen (Peter) Hyland and Mary Ellen (Randy) Wiley and by her favorite son Jim (Mary Parker) Phillips.
Mimi will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: Whitney (Mike) Adams Carlson, Lauren (Jon) Adams Vecchiarelli, Nick Hyland, Max Bregande, Stephen (Desiree) Yakey-Wiley, Eric Yakey-Wiley, Kendra Yakey-Wiley, Mike (Amanda) Phillips, and Eric (Katie Angel) Phillips, great grandchildren: Reese and Will Carlson, Max Vecchiarelli, Stephen Yakey-Wiley, Henry Phillips, and Charlotte Angel Phillips, nieces: Nancy (Joe) Rinker Kaplan and Mallory (Mike) Donigan Lesch, and nephews: Craig (Beth) Rinker, Jeff (Morgan) Donigan, and Kelly (Molly) Donigan.
We would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Kirshner and Maracia Nodine and all the staff at Cottage 31 of The Cottages at Garden Grove, Cicero for their compassionate care, love and friendship.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles.
A celebration of life will be held on the anniversary of her death on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at The Sherwood Inn, Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mimi’s memory to Skaneateles Outreach, 24 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
