Tracy Philbrick Truman

Tracy Philbrick Truman died November 5, 2024, two days before her 83rd birthday on November 7. The cause of death was heart failure following pneumonia from Legionnaires’ disease and several strokes. She died in her home at Ingleside at Rock Creek in Washington, D.C., holding the hand of her husband of 60 years with her dog Tory by her side. She was born in Richmond, VA, the daughter of Robert Philbrick and Jane (Arnold). Her mother died in 1950 when Tracy was almost nine. Her father married Margaret (Richardson) in 1952. Tracy was known for a smile that lit up her face. She was described by relatives and friends as mild-mannered but strong, generous and caring, with a sparkling wit and a wry sense of humor. A 1963 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she received her certificate in physical therapy from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1964. That year she married Edwin (Ted) Truman. They lived in New Haven, CT while he finished his Ph.D at Yale and later served on the faculty. Their two children David and Christine (Tina) were born in New Haven before they moved to Washington in 1972. Tracy was a physical therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital and for 28 years at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. There she was a mentor to her younger colleagues and knitted more than a score of baby sweaters for them. She was a pillar of several communities. As an officer of the Mount Holyoke Club of Washington, DC, she organized a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the college’s 1837 founding. She was co-chair of her 40th and 50th reunions. For many years, she hosted Washington summer interns from her alma mater. For these many contributions, the Alumnae Society honored Tracy at her 50th reunion with a Loyalty Award. Tracy and Ted lived in the Town of Somerset in Chevy Chase, MD for 38 years. Tracy was a member of the Somerset Board of Elections for more than 25 years, serving as chair for part of that period. She led a successful protest of the proposed closing of Somerset Elementary School and was the town’s representative to committee meetings for the new School. She was an active soccer mom, and for many years was the starter at Somerset pool swim meets firing a starter’s pistol. Her many hobbies included family genealogy, brass rubbing, silk screening, picture framing, and knitting. As a collector, she favored matryoshka nesting dolls, mobiles, ducks, and art primarily collected in travels that took her out of the country more than 50 times. Tracy lived at Ingleside for almost a dozen years. There she participated in the Ingleside Singers, continued her passion for arts and crafts as a member of the Mosaic Guild, and hosted an annual Sunday soup party. Over the years, Tracy welcomed people into her home for periods long and short. Many became lifelong friends. In 2011, Allie Bagnall was a beneficiary and soon became a member of the family. Tracy and Ted enjoyed hosting gatherings of family and friends at their beloved Scrub Hill in Hillsdale, NY. In addition to her husband of 60 years, Tracy is survived by her son David (Amy Suelzer) of St. Louis, Mo.; her daughter Christine (Ian Woollett) of Norfolk, Va.; her daughter of choice Allie Bagnall (Brian McBeath) of Washington, D.C.; her brothers John Philbrick (Mary Ropka) of Charlottesville, Va., and Robert Lawrence Philbrick (Marion Severynse) of Cambridge, Mass.; grandchildren David and Elena Truman, Malcolm and Jessie Woollett, and Freya and Finn McBeath; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her favorite expression was “We are so lucky!” A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on February 15, at Ingleside at Rock Creek, 3050 Military Rd., NW. Donations in her memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or to a charity of one’s choice.

Tracy Philbrick Truman

November 7, 1941 - November 5, 2024