A Life Story

Phillippa Kandel Paddison, known affectionately to her friends as Flip, and to the rest of the world as "Grandma", passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024, in Savannah, GA, at the age of 96. Born on June 11, 1928 in Savannah at Telfair Hospital, she lived in Savannah with her husband, John Robert Paddison (Bob,1923-2021) for all but a few years of her life.Phillippa is survived by her four children, Diana Churchill, Kim Paddison Dockery (Keith), John Robert Paddison Jr. (Nancy), and David E. Paddison (Jeanne); seven cherished grandchildren, Lauren Dockery, Stephen Dockery, John Robert (Jack) Paddison 3rd, Dylan Paddison, Chloe Paddison Eddleman, Caroline Paddison Koncul, Mason Paddison; and a great-grandson, Jasper Eddleman. She also leaves behind her beloved sister, Joanne Kandel Leaf, along with many nieces and nephews who played significant roles in her life.Phillippa grew up in downtown Savannah, first on Gaston Street and later at 432 Abercorn Street on what is now known as Taylor Square. She attended Massie Elementary, Chatham Junior High School, and Savannah High School. Her spirit of service started early as she knit socks for the troops in WWII, served as a plane spotter, and taught swim lessons for the Red Cross in the creeks of Harrock Hall. Phillippa attended Armstrong Junior College for two years, where she met Bob Paddison in a biology class. They were lab partners dissecting frogs, and later became life partners for 69 years. She finished her BS at Georgia State College for Women where she studied math and chemistry. She obtained her MPH from Columbia University. After working in the mountains of North Carolina in Public Health, she began a lifetime of service to her family and the community.Phillippa taught Sunday School and was committed to the Social Justice and Religious Education programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah. The RE classrooms were named Phillippa's Place in her honor. She volunteered in the Savannah-Chatham public schools teaching art, and tutoring math at Jenkins High School for 20 years. She was a weaver and active in the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs for many years. Her weaving appears in the giant oak fiber sculpture in the Oatland Island Wildlife Center Visitors center, as well as on numerous shawls, baby blankets, place mats and other fabric creations throughout the community.She was a strong, creative woman who worked quietly to back up her deep belief in equity and social justice – making banners and marching in the Martin Luther King Parade, preparing soup and sandwiches and serving at the Inner City Night Shelter, and tutoring Algebra, Calculus & Statistics to many Savannah students until she was in her late 80s.A graveside memorial for immediate family members will be held at a later date, to honor Phillippa's life and legacy.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Phillippa Kandel Paddison's honor to Hospice Savannah, Inc., 1352 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, with the mailing address at P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA, 31416. Donations can also be made online at [Hospice Savannah Donations](https://www.hospicesavannah.org/give-2/donations/), Oatland Island Wildlife Center at [Friends of Oatland](https://www.friendsofoatland.org/support) or Wesley Community Center, Wesley Community Center Inc 1601 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401 (https://www.wesleyctrs-savh.org/How-Can-I-Help),