Tanya Philipps

Tanya Philipps, 2/28/1936-12/24/2025

Tanya Philipps passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, finding rest and peace during this holy

season, with her husband and a daughter by her side.

Tanya was born Tatiana Eugenia Logwintschuk on February 28, 1936, in Ukraine. Her early

childhood was marked by hardship and uncertainty. When war broke out, her father and uncle

were conscripted into the Russian army, but they bravely deserted to protect their family. They

gathered Tatiana, her baby sister, her mother, and fled westward, enduring numerous struggles

along the way. They crossed a river despite none of them being able to swim and faced further

hardship when the German army captured them, sending them to a labor camp.

At the camp, Tatiana was often sent to the labor camp fence to receive treats that she shared with

the family. Through it all, her family remained resilient. After being liberated by American

forces, they were sponsored by a church in America and eventually made their way to Ellis

Island and settled in Whitestone, NY, where her father found work as a contractor, and her

mother as a housekeeper.

Tatiana became Tanya—an American woman who would go on to carve out a loving life over 68

years of marriage. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, where she

honed her skills as an artist and seamstress. It’s said that many young men from her church

admired her, but Tanya’s heart was captured by a young Navy man, Raymond Philipps, who had

attended a church party with a friend and, after perhaps a bit too much ‘fun’, swung from a tree

in an effort to impress her. Tanya, charmed by his carefree spirit, married Raymond, the love of

her life.

Tanya and Raymond raised three children. Tragically, they lost their beloved son, Russell, in an

accident that forever changed their family. Despite this heartbreak, Tanya and Raymond

continued their deep and enduring bond, remaining inseparable. After Raymond’s retirement,

they traveled the world together, even retracing her steps in Europe. In her later years, when

Tanya required memory care, Raymond visited her daily, and the two were affectionately called

“the Lovebirds” by the staff. Always holding hands and sharing tender moments, they greeted

each other with kisses, never losing their warmth and connection.

She will be remembered for her strength of spirit and creativity. The staff at her care facility

often spoke of her kindness, her sweet nature, and the way she could always speak her mind with

a touch of humor. She was a talented artist whose watercolor paintings, many of peaceful nature

scenes and flowers, won awards.

Tanya is survived by her husband Raymond Philipps, two daughters, Lisa Philipps and Dina

Hood, son-in-law David Hood, and her adored five grandchildren, Maya (husband, Khan),

Rebecca, Benjamin (wife, Maddie), Philip (wife, Caroline) and Charlotte, her great-grandsons

Noah and Elliot, and sister Vali. She is pre-deceased by her son, Russell Philipps. Her family is

deeply grateful for the many years they shared with her and takes comfort in knowing she is now

at peace and reunited with her son and parents.

Donations can be made in honor of Tatiana to any of the following charities: Nova Ukraine;

Ukrainian National Womens League of America; United Help Ukraine; or World Central

Kitchen.