|
T. J. (Terry) Phillips Family |
|
NOTE TO: Diane Phillips Berthelot. Ted Gibbons would like to get in contact with you, if you will email me your email address I will pass it on to him. |
| My father, Terry J. Phillips went to Aruba in 1947. He lived in the Bachelor Quarters during this time. My mother Irene, my brother Derek and I followed in 1949. My brother really didn’t know his father, in fact he came tattling, stating “that man won’t take me to see the fish”. |
| Upon arriving in Aruba, we lived in one of the apartments at Colorado Point. My soon to be best friend, Loreen Anderson lived in a group of apartments behind us. I remember this distinctly because as I was trying to walk across the coral and cactus to play with her, I fell. I had a behind full of cactus needles! Loreen and I used to torment my brother when we told him we were going to the lighthouse to see the “devil”. I’m surprised he still claims me as a sister. |
| Our next move was into a bungalow in the 100 row. My mother believes it was 137. It was during our occupancy of this house that the Aruba Strike occurred. My father was one of the men locked in to keep the refinery running. We spent that time at the Cavell's along with the Shaffets as our home was fairly close to the front gate. We lived in this bungalow for approximately six months before moving to bungalow 211. We were expecting a new addition to the family. The 100 row doesn’t hold a pleasant memory for my brother. It was here that he had an accident involving a tree limb poking his eye and lacerating the cornea. He has suffered with that injury ever since. |
| Many memories occurred in bungalow 211. Our parents ordered all the furnishings for a new nursery from Bamburgers in New Jersey. I can still remember unpacking the crates in our garage. Some boxes were off limits…my parents had ordered our Christmas at the same time. I remember climbing up in the attic with my brother one night (the parents were out to dinner) and we went through all the goodies. Imagine our surprise on Christmas morning and half the toys weren’t there. Because of the limited shopping resources in Aruba, my parents had included items for birthdays etc. for the entire year. Once again, we learned a lesson the hard way. Our little sister Terry Lynn was born in June of 1952 while living here. We had a huge seagrape tree near that house and we would gorge ourselves on the grapes. I still remember the stained fingers from those grapes. Another person that remains fondly in my memory is Shortie from the Old Esso Club. He made the very best ice cream sundaes. |
| Our next move was to bungalow 821. We finally each had our own bedroom as they closed in the porch to create a third bedroom for my brother. I recall my father taking us all out to Canucu to get Olive Trees for our new yard. When we arrived home, he proudly planted the bushes and then went to the club. To relax, I'm sure. Hank VanDeutekom heard of our adventure and couldn't resist calling my mother. In a disguised voice, he proceeded to tell her he was the Chief of Police and understood my father had stolen some olive bushes. My mother had a hard time forgiving him for that prank. I can still remember the excitement when all the new electric stoves arrived, or when the “Christmas Tree” truck would wind through the colony delivering trees. We lived fairly near the Gibbons whom we called Uncle Ted and Auntie Jessie. My mother knew the Gibbons in England prior to moving to Aruba. Our first pet, Laddie was a beautiful black cocker spaniel that was from a litter of Auntie Jessie’s spaniel. He was so mischievous. He would hide and wait to torment our maid, Cynthia. One of our most memorable Christmas’ was in 821. Derek and I wanted bikes very much. When we woke on Christmas morning, there was a string with a piece of paper attached. Our names were on this paper. We had to follow this string…..it went around the inside of the house, out through the patio, down the driveway and out into the coral in the back. There at the end were our bikes. My Dad had a blast that Christmas eve creating wonderful memories for his children. |
| Derek and I were both very active in the scouting program. I remember that Mrs. Ewart was my scout leader. We went to Ikebana one year and we all became ill from brackish water that was mistakenly used for drinking water. Our troop also participated as part of the Color Guard for Queen Juliana when she visited the island. I have “fond” memories of the caves behind the hospital. I was forbidden to go there but I was so enticed by the thrill and defied my father’s instructions. Unfortunately, he knew his daughter too well and waited for me in the hospital parking lot. I received and extensive punishment for that adventure. We used to go out to Oranjestad to visit Hank VanDeutekom's mother and father. We loved going there as his father enjoyed entertaining us with his dog, Bonzo. We left Aruba in 1956 to return to England. We thought our life had ended. This is all we had ever known as children. We returned to England for vacations every other year and we dearly loved and missed our grandparents. But we sure didn’t’ want to live there. Our wishes were soon granted. My parents were persuaded to move to the U.S. by friends, Richard Shaffett, Hank and Evie VanDeutekom and Dottie and Johnny Wengert. It was just as good as going back home to Aruba. In 1957 we moved to Baton Rouge where we have all resided ever since. Derek is the only one in our family that has returned to visit Aruba. My father passed away nine years ago after a lengthy battle with cancer. My mother is still doing quite well despite a terrible hip fracture and several fractured vertebrae from Osteoporosis. We see Hank and Evie quite frequently. I can still remember |
| I have been a Registered Nurse for the past 24 years. I recently retired from a local Obstetric Hospital where I was the Director of Obstetrical Services. I have three grown children and 7 wonderful grandchildren. Derek is married and has four step-grandchildren. He recently retired from Ciba Corporation after a very successful career. Terry Lynn married and has two children and two grandchildren. She works for one of our local banks and hasn't retired yet, as she is still the youngest. Our small family has really expanded. |
| Memories: |
| Sitting on the huge boulders across from the church to watch the firework display that my Dad helped with. |
| Picnics outside the colony with friends. My Dad would tell us to sprinkle salt on the parakeets tail and we could catch them. I was an adult before I realized that I would never get that close to them. |
| Going to the large caves to explore...and being afraid of the bats that were everywhere. |
| Collecting sea urchins and seashells near the natural bridge |
| Sitting on the wall outside Lago Community Church with our maid, waiting for Hank and Evie VanDeutekom to leave the church after their wedding. |
| Mrs. Wade's paper and book stand. |
| Eating croquettes at the Aruba airport with that wonderful Dutch mustard. |
| Shopping in San Nicholas and Oranjestad. |
| Vacations to England and sailing on some of the most wonderful ships...before there were Cruise Lines. |
| Sliding down the fire chute at the elementary school. |
| Wonderful, wonderful memories and friendships came from living on this small close-knit island. I feel so very lucky to have been given this opportunity. |
| Diane Phillips Berthelot |
| Submitted using the lago-colony family history form. |