It’s been more than three decades since Eleanor (Crisp) Phoenix taught English at Boulder City High School. But that doesn’t diminish the impact she had on the hundreds, if not thousands, of students who passed through her classroom during her 25 years at the school.
The memories and admiration for Phoenix were evident in the outpouring of tributes on a recent Boulder City High School alumni Facebook page post announcing her passing on January 16. The post garnered more than 125 comments, many noting that she had been one of their favorite teachers at BCHS.
According to friends, Phoenix was born on February 18, 1941, in Muncie, Indiana, to John T. Crisp and Ferne D. (Marshall) Crisp. Her father was a supervisory civil engineer working on various dam projects for the Bureau of Reclamation, which meant the family moved frequently. For three years, they resided in Boulder City.
She attended Boulder City High School until her senior year, when her father was transferred to Carson City. She graduated from high school there in 1959. Determined to further her education, Phoenix earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University.
After college, then-BCHS principal William McCormick convinced Phoenix to return and teach English at Boulder City High School. Later, Phoenix developed a close friendship with McCormick’s daughter, Susan. In an interesting connection, Phoenix also taught Susan’s son, Bill, a 1988 BCHS graduate and now a fiction writer.
“Oh, that makes me very sad,” Bill McCormick commented on the Facebook post. “She was my favorite teacher in high school and later in life became one of my mother’s best friends. Every time I visited my mom, we’d go out to dinner with Eleanor and have her over for movie night. She was a great teacher, with a wonderful, quirky sense of humor.”
Longtime BCHS colleague and friend Karen Hodapp shared with the Review, “Mrs. Eleanor Phoenix had an extensive knowledge of literature. Thankfully, she didn’t keep it to herself. As an educator, she enjoyed imparting that knowledge to her students. She was an excellent teacher. Over the years, we spent many hours laughing and talking about everything and nothing. She was my friend and I miss her.”
Bruce Momsen, a fellow BCHS teacher and coach who worked alongside Phoenix for several years, also praised her teaching abilities. “She was a very classy lady, well loved and respected by teachers and staff,” he said. “She was a great teacher and mentor.”
On the Facebook post, Anna Marie Davis, BCHS class of 1979, wrote, “Such a BCHS icon. She exemplified elegance, intellect, and kindness. She was truly a gift to all of us who were blessed to be educated by her. She didn’t just teach us English, she taught us style, grace, and how to carry ourselves in the world.”
Phoenix was known for being strict, not tolerating classroom interruptions, and expecting the very best from her students. What many did not see, according to friends and former students, was her true priority: helping as many students as possible to excel.
She took the time to learn about her students, inspiring their curiosity and encouraging them to invest fully in their assignments. Phoenix gave her students the courage to express their creativity through writing, pushing them to be more than just adequate and instilling confidence in their own abilities.
Rod Woodbury, a 1985 BCHS graduate and former Boulder City mayor, recalled having Phoenix as a teacher during his junior and senior years. “Words mattered to her,” he said. “At every opportunity, she taught us new words and helped us use our ever-growing vocabulary in meaningful ways. Mrs. Phoenix’s eyes lit up with fascination and her big, wry smile appeared whenever a passage of inspiring literature touched her soul.
“But she didn’t hoard those epiphanies or the happiness they gave her. She instantly wanted to share. So, she did everything she could to infuse in others her newfound discoveries and resulting joy. Especially in us, her students.”
Woodbury added, “God bless you, Mrs. Phoenix. I hope to see you again one day and thank you properly this time for everything you did for me and so many others.”
Woodbury’s classmate, Bret Runion, also shared his appreciation: “She was one of my favorite teachers at BCHS. I thoroughly enjoyed her class, and she definitely helped shape my future. I am eternally grateful for that.
“However, something I appreciate even more is that we became friends. I would see her around town and we always ended up in a great conversation. She never failed to ask about my sister, Kelly.
“I loved listening to her talk. She just had a way with words and was so proper. One day I ran into her having lunch and couldn’t resist a selfie with her. I posted our picture on Facebook, and that post immediately blew up. It was truly amazing to see all the wonderful things so many of her former students had to say about her. At that point, I realized just how many lives she had touched, which is truly inspiring.
“I thoroughly miss seeing her and those conversations that we shared.”
In addition to Hodapp, Phoenix will be deeply missed by her close friends Paul and Gigi Westbrook, Pat Amon, and many others whose lives she touched and who will always hold a special place for her in their hearts.
Upon her request, there will be no service.
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Eleanor (Crisp) Phoenix’s legacy as an exceptional educator, mentor, and friend remains alive in the countless lives she influenced during her remarkable career. Her passion for literature and dedication to her students continue to inspire those who knew her.
https://bouldercityreview.com/news/friends-students-pay-tribute-to-eleanor-phoenix-116534/
