Sharon Chadwell Phillips

Sharon Chadwell Phillips, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep, January 30, 2021, at her home in Lenexa, Kansas.

Born November 21, 1934, only daughter to James Raymond and Vada Wills Chadwell, Sharon was spoiled and beloved among five brothers. She was a good student, graduating from Elk View High School in 1951. Sharon moved to northern California in the 1950's, where she met her future husband, Robert Phillips, and life-long best friend, Susan Austin.

Sharon and Bob were married April 10, 1960, in Stockton, California. They made their home in San Rafael, with their three children, Scott, Noëlle and Courtenay.

Sharon was active in many charitable organizations, donating time, effort and resources to causes close to her heart. She organized multiple events, including the City of San Rafael Centennial Celebration in 1974 and the annual Grape Festival, raising money for Sunny Hills Orphanage.

In 1980, the family moved to Johnson County, Kansas, where Sharon became active in the community, through business, philanthropy and Democratic politics.

Sharon was a strong, powerful woman, becoming a successful female entrepreneur when that was still rare. In 1989, Sharon founded Athena Communications with her daughter, Noëlle, becoming a leader in the Kansas City interconnect telecommunications services industry for 30 years. Generous to friends and strangers alike, nothing made her happier than to help someone in need, giving them a place to stay or a job, many times both.

A world traveler, Sharon visited Europe, Asia, South America and the middle east. She enjoyed immersing herself in different cultures, collecting treasures to share with friends and family. Sharon also enjoyed entertaining, hosting elaborate dinner parties for friends and neighbors.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and husband Bob (2014).

Sharon is survived by son Scott, of Overland Park, Kansas; daughters Noëlle (Tony) Scaramucci, of Leawood, Kansas and Courtenay (Bryan) Sheehan, of Bentonville, Arkansas; grandchildren Sydney, Shaffer and Ryder Phillips, Quynn and Jake Scaramucci, and Bryan and Colin Sheehan; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and her longtime companion, Barry Dodson.

If you'd like to honor Sharon's memory, next time you're out, have a Stoli Gibson with extra cocktail onions. Cheers!

She will be interred with Bob at Leavenworth National Cemetery. A service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Johnson County Democratic Women (https://jcdwks.org/) or the Women's Health Center of West Virginia (https://womenshealthwv.org/ ).