Valerie Ogden Phillips, a distinguished author, actress, and activist dedicated to social justice and animal welfare, passed away from heart failure on July 7. She was 85 years old.
Phillips lived in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, from her home just off West Chestnut Hill Avenue, where she devoted much of her life to advocacy work on behalf of those in need.
Throughout her career, she held numerous influential roles, including treasurer of the 9th Ward Democrats, president of the Pennsylvania SPCA, and chair of the Mayor’s Animal Advisory Committee in Philadelphia.
Her son Graham emphasized her deeply rooted humanity, stating, “What I would like to emphasize about her is her overwhelming and authentic sense of humanity, perhaps derived from her deep understanding of animal nature. Her passion, purpose, and efforts were always led by her conscience rather than the perception or opinions of others.”
Born in New York City, Valerie Ogden Phillips began her higher education at Wheaton College in Illinois, where she achieved Phi Beta Kappa honors. Following her graduation, she worked as a securities analyst on Wall Street and was part of a pioneering group of women completing a prestigious Merrill Lynch training program.
However, her love for the arts eventually led her to abandon her finance career in pursuit of acting in New York City. She appeared in movies, theater productions, television shows, and various commercials and soap operas.
In 1972, she married Walter M. Phillips Jr., who served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The couple later relocated to Philadelphia, where Walter was appointed by Governor Milton Shapp to investigate public corruption, leading to significant cases, including one tied to the downfall of State Senator Henry J. “Buddy” Cianfrani.
As an author, Phillips contributed as the “Best Bets” columnist for House & Garden magazine and self-published a cookbook in 2005. A passionate history enthusiast, she penned a historical true crime book titled “Bluebeard: Brave Warrior, Brutal Psychopath,” released in 2023.
Phillips’ commitment to animal rights was profound. She rescued a variety of animals, including sheep, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, horses, rams, and goats, turning her home into a sanctuary for them.
One of her notable rescues was Apollo, a former war dog transported from Beirut. Phillips shared the remarkable experience in her 2021 book, “Saving Apollo,” recalling how he would escape their property frequently. “Nothing could contain Apollo,” she said. “I put up an electrical fence, and he kept getting out almost every day. Once I got a call from a couple who were visiting Philly from Wisconsin. They were at the Rocky statue feeding hot dogs to Apollo! He had gotten out and went all the way down to the Art Museum, so I drove down there and picked him up.”
Phillips was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, who passed away in 2015. She later moved in with her son Graham after experiencing health challenges, including hospitalization the previous October.
Graham noted that although she had been unwell, she was able to enjoy her final months in a serene environment surrounded by family and nature she cherished. “She was able to live here on a farm surrounded by the nature she loved with her family,” he shared.
In lieu of flowers, Phillips’ family encourages donations to the Pennsylvania SPCA and BETA, a no-kill shelter located in Lebanon. She is survived by her daughter, Serena Sterling; her son, Graham (and Layla); and three grandchildren.
For further inquiries, Len Lear can be reached at [email protected].
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