Gidion Phillips, originally from Lawrence, NY (Long Island), passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 30, 2022 in New York following a diagnosis of sarcoma.
As all who knew Gidion are aware, she was a fierce supporter of orphans in Haiti. Over the years, she traveled to Haiti and Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) on aid trips, along with other charitable endeavors including building a well in memory of her brother Billy who predeceased her. She not only took care of the children at an orphanage in Haiti but maintained contact with them as they grew up and attended school, helping to raise funds for their continued care and education.
In her memory, we ask that you donate to this spotfund account to help pay for some necessary expenses for these mentees of Gidion. She requested a private cremation ceremony so in lieu of flowers or memorial services, we are using these funds to help continue the good work she did for Haiti. All money donated will go directly to the care of recipients that Gidion designated prior to her transition.
In the last few years since moving back to NY from Los Angeles, Gidion lived life to the fullest. Despite the isolation of Covid, she was back home with her rescue dog, Mamie and building friendships, old and new.
Gidion celebrated a dynamic career, working in the Control Room at ABC News for top Producers in NYC. In LA, she wrote and/or produced over 50 hours of Biography, covering stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood (including Ida Lupino, Audrey Hepburn, Loretta Young, The Nicholas Brothers, Susan Hayward, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, and more). She won an Emmy for JACKIE GLEASON: THE GREAT ONE. She wrote and produced Bonus Features (Behind-the-Scenes material) for several studios, working on such films as The Princess Diaries, James Cameron’s Ghosts of the Abyss, Hugo, Shutter Island, and her favorite, The Departed. For Lionsgate, she produced and wrote Bonus Features for boxed sets of Jean Renoir and Jean-Luc Goddard.
Gidion was known for her lively personality, deeply-held opinions and true fashion sense, always looking elegant and put together, even in a t-shirt and jeans. She touched everybody’s hearts deeply and made every one of us feel seen and heard. Her incredible sense of humor and storytelling skills were superb. In the last three days of her life, she was unable to speak due to a lung condition that developed. She knew it was time to depart when her body would no longer let her share her stories.
Please free to pass this info on to Gidion’s friends who may not have access to this information otherwise. And, as always, much gratitude to all of you for helping support Gidion and her important causes, especially in her final days.
