Phyllis Searle Hamilton, born September 3, 1927 in Topeka Kansas, died at the age of 97 on March 4, 2025 at home in Edgewood, NM. She is survived by three daughters, Barbara Maxey (Wayne), Elizabeth Hamilton, Catharine Roelfs (Greg), one grandson and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerald Hamilton.
A graduate of Topeka High School and Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas, she served as principal second violinist of the Topeka Civic Symphony, the Washburn String Quartet and later in the Champaign-Urbana Symphony in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois as well as in the Springfield, Kankakee and Danville, Illinois Symphonies.
She sang in church choirs under her mother and continued under her husband, who was organist and choirmaster at several cathedrals including St. John’s Cathedral Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She served for many years as a reader for disabled students at the University of New Mexico.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch, P.O. Box 626, Edgewood, NM 87015.