Deacon Marcella Phillips died Saturday, January 9, in her home in Evansville, Indiana, at age 82.

"Mike" as she was affectionately called by her many friends died in her sleep, and at peace with the recent discovery of a mass in her lungs. She had been living with a large aneurysm for two years and knew that death could come suddenly at any time.

Ordained in 1994, Mike served as Deacon at St. Paul's, Evansville, and for a shorter time at St. Stephen's, New Harmony, IN. Mike served as Director of Deacon Formation for the Diocese of Indianapolis from 1998 to 2007.

From her obituary: Mike was an unrelenting advocate for the underprivileged and needy in the Evansville area and beyond. She was active in local AIDS awareness groups and was involved with the soup kitchen at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mike was serving as chaplain for Deaconess/Ohio Valley Hospice at age 80 when declining health forced her to slow down and 'retire.' Her selflessness and willingness to give everything she had was an inspiration to everyone around her.