Evelyn Phillips Kaplan

January 1, 1924 - October 4, 2016

My mother passed away, peacefully, at her home in October of 2016. One of the smartest and most compassionate people I have ever known, mother led a long and full life. Born Isabelle Evelyn Phillips in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, she graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Master’s Degree in 1946 focusing on French and German. After moving to the United States, she went on to study at the University of California at Berkeley, beginning in 1948. By early 1951, she was a Doctoral Candidate before suspending her studies later that year. Mother was many things -- she was wife to my father Kenneth Kaplan for 32 years before his passing in 1983, mother to myself and my brother George Cameron Kaplan, a very active member of the League of Women voters (and past California State President of the LWV during the Reagan Governorship). She also volunteered many places -- but I think she most enjoyed her years at Filoli Center, Music at Kohl Mansion, and all those years “working” the election (no doubt guiding many a new voter in the process and its importance). Mother is preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth (1983) and wonderful son George (2006). She is survived her daughter Ann Smith and husband Larry, of TX and son’s widow J. Logan of CA. Please note, the family will host a celebration of life on Sunday March 12, from 1PM to 5PM at the home of the deceased. Stop by and reminisce as we honor a most remarkable woman, my mother, Evelyn P. Kaplan.