Obituary of Mary Phillips Dragon

Mary Elizabeth Phillips Dragon, beloved wife of Dr. Robert Dragon, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer on January 3, 2011. She was the daughter of Lloyd Lawrence Phillips and Rita Blake Phillips of Newport, RI. Betsy, as she was known to friends and family, was educated in the public schools there and graduated in 1961 from Salve Regina University in Newport. She moved to New York after graduation and was proud of the fact that she was one of the first open heart recovery room nurses at Columbia Presbyterian. She moved to New Haven, CT in 1966 where she found her professional niche as a nurse-educator. The remainder of her professional career, interrupted by raising a family, was spent teaching student registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical assistants. She resided in New Britain, CT for 32 years. Betsy has five loves in her life: family, friends, travel, oil painting and Maushop Village in New Seabury in that order. She was quite accomplished as an artist and completed over 75 canvases and numerous colored pencil drawings. She moved to Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Palm City, FL in 2005 where she enjoyed the company of many new friends and the many activities there. She was predeceased by her parents and a son, Jude. She is survived by her husband of 43 years and 2 daughters---Amanda Marie Dragon Goulet and Diana Phillips Dragon. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Michael Goulet; a brother, Lloyd Lawrence Phillips; a sister, Anne Stephanie Jennings, and an aunt, Sister Audrey Blake. A memorial gathering and service will be held at Harbour Ridge on January 14th, 11:30AM to 2:00PM. Burial will be private. Contributions may be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, or at 772/403-4530 or on line at www.tchospices.org in Mrs. Dragon's memory. Arrangements are under the direction of the Forest Hills Funeral Homes Palm City Chapel. An on line registry is available to sign and leave notes of condolence at www.foresthillspalmcityflorida.com .