Catherine Pond Phillips

As the oldest surviving member of her generation, Kitty had attained the revered status of matriarch in her family circle. She was a natural beauty with a quick sense of humor, loved to dance, and had a sweet and pure singing voice. A charismatic and classic lady, she was generous, resilient, fun, a good sport, affectionate, romantic and a bit flirtatious. Importantly for all who loved her, she was an empathetic, wise and loving friend who was kind and generous to all. She was honest & straightforward with advice and has been the ‘go to’ person for several generations of extended family who all feel fortunate and blessed to have had her special love and interest in their lives.

Kitty was born May 7, 1914,in Circleville, Ohio, the third daughter of Floss (Edwards) an Oberlin College graduate and Clayton Drew Closson, an Ohio State trained geologist who was involved with mining ‘out west’ until his marriage when he became owner of the ‘5 & 10 Cent Store’, in Circleville. Summers were spent with the Edwards side of the family in Lakeside – a Chautauqua community on Lake Erie, founded by the Methodist Church following the Civil War. After attending Ohio Wesleyan University she traveled with her widowed mother in Florida, where she met her dearly loved and devoted husband Frank Pond, a flavor chemist from Douglaston New York, who was traveling on business. They married when she was 20 and, after joining him ‘on the road’, for a time, they settled in Bayside, NY, where they were founding members of Bayside Colonial Church and its’ ‘Couples Club’ where much fun was had singing and acting in ‘entertainments. While in Bayside, Nancy & Clayton were born, and niece, Eileen joined the family after the death of Kitty’s beloved older sister Ted. When things settled down following WW II the family moved to Port Washington, on Manhasset Bay in Long Island, NY. Along with family related activities, Kitty enjoyed her reading group and taking daily neighborhood walks with Frank and pet dachshund ‘Lady’. She and Frank also enjoyed traveling with family and close friends during these years.

After Frank’s retirement, with family grown, they divided their time between a summer home, just outside of Woodstock, Vermont, and an ocean front condo in Highland Beach, Florida. Though somewhat thwarted by chronic, but not life threatening health problems which frustrated her basic energy and drive, Kitty continued meeting the challenges and reversals inherent in a long life, with spunk and resilience. After the death of Frank, to whom she was married for 34 years, Kitty married Evan J. Phillips, then widowed, whom she had dated as a teenager back in Circleville, Ohio. Evan, a retired Pharmacist, served in WWII where he helped run the Army Field Hospital in Riems, France during the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Invasion, for which he was decorated with the French Legion of Honor. Eventually Kitty & Evan made their home at Harbours Edge, Delray Beach, Florida where they were together for 32 years.

Kitty was pre-deceased by husband Frank Nelson Pond Jr. in 1978, husband Evan Jerome Phillips in 2012 (at age 100), sisters Helen “Ted” Closson Blundell, Dorothy Closson Harris Mason, and grandson Douglas Brown.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Pond Brown (Gene) of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, F. Clayton Pond (Marjorie) of Alpharetta, Georgia, and niece Eileen Blundell Mallon (Philip) of Highland Beach, Florida;

Stepson Jerome ‘Jerry’ Phillips (Marianna)

Grand children, Tracey Ketterer (Andy), Jennifer Lucas, Stephanie Ungerer (George), Drew Pond, & Catherine Pond;

Great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Audrey Ketterer, Jessica and Caroline Lucas, George ‘Buddy’ and Josie Ungerer;

Grand-nieces and grand-nephew, Linda Caputo (Joe), Laurie Nebel (Jon), John Mallon (Kris), and their children, Jenna & Tessa Caputo, Ashley Nebel , Amy Pappas (Chris), Jeffrey Nebel, Chelsea and Carly Mallon;

Nieces, Patricia Harris Addleman, Marilyn Harris Hutchinson (Robert ‘Hutch’), Eleanor Harris Beadle (Jack) and their children and grandchildren – as well as those of nephew Kenneth ‘Bud’ Harris (June) who pre-deceased her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Catherine Pond Phillips

Arrangements in Ohio are being handled by Schoedinger Funeral services in Columbus:

Schoedinger.com

Interment will be in Galena Cemetery, Galena, Ohio