Phyllis Browne

Life Profile of Phyllis Anne Browne, Ph. D

1935-2024

Phyllis moved to Taos in 2000 having retired as a tenured professor at Chapman University in California.  She participated in the dance community for many years, performing (non-professionally) for the Bette Winslow Dance Studio, Sundance Studio, and the Taos Youth Ballet. Her dance acumen and choreographic ability was inspirational to both younger and senior dancers.  Phyllis was one of the original members of the Taiko Drumming group for several years and performed at many events in Taos.  She served as a board member of Soundscapes and joined the executive director Rebecca Caron in bringing music and educational experiences to schools in the Taos area.

Phyllis received a music/dance degree from the University of Indiana.  She continued to study dance in New York and performed professionally in many musical productions.  Life events influenced a change in career endeavors which led to a MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin.  Pursuing ever challenging academic achievement, she received a Ph. D in Anatomy from the University of California at Los Angeles. 

Phyllis interest in teaching led to professorships at Children’s Hospital Physical Therapy Program in Los Angeles, the Bio kinesiology, and Physical Therapy Dept. at the University of Southern California, and Chapman University in Orange, California where she received tenure.  She published many scientific papers, co-sponsored graduate student research, and developed an Advance Anatomy course for doctoral students.  Anatomy is one of the foundational courses in the education of Physical Therapy students and is essential to their successful practice as clinicians.

Phyllis was the youngest of five children whose musically gifted parents instilled in her an appreciation for the arts.  Devotion to her family, commitment to her students and to the profession of Physical Therapy, and her passion for dance greatly enriched her life, and contributed significantly to the lives of others. The adage “some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them” describes her memorable life. Those living members of her family, sister, Rosemary B. Beck, brother, Edmond Browne, many nephews and nieces, her companion of many years, as well as former academic colleagues, students and many friends will remember with love and affection this unique and exceptional person.

She exited the stage following her final dance performance on February 10, 2024.  She was 88.

In lieu of a service a gift in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Society, Taos Community Foundation or an environmental conservation organization is suggested.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com