She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 26, 1930, to John and Victoria Hornack. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1949. On September 6, 1951, she married Michael W. Phillips in Chicago after his discharge from the U.S. Navy. She accompanied him to southern California where he had set up residence, primarily in Anaheim.
She retired from the Anaheim Union High School District after 35 years of service, lastly as an assistant to the Administrative Assistant Superintendent.
After both retirements in 1991, they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where they had their dream house built.
During their marriage they traveled to the northeast, northwest U.S., Canada and Alaska.
She loved working in the gardens around the house, tending to her roses, peonies and various other plants. Over the years, there was a sharing of love for seven dogs, four cats, and two horses.
She and her husband both sang in church choirs in Southern California and Grand Junction for many years.
One of the cooking specialties in her life was using her own recipe to bake cheesecake, which everyone loved. She loved anything chocolate.
She was particularly devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary saying the Rosary daily. Renee was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother placing the needs of others before hers.
She leaves behind her husband of 69 years, son Michael J., daughter Cynthia A. Adams, daughter-in-law Tracy, grandchildren Steven and Kaitlyn Phillips, Christopher Adams, and Brigette Collins, nephew Robert Hornack, great granddaughters Morgan and Gable, and grand daughter-in-law Rachael Adams.
She was preceded in death by parents John and Victoria Hornack, sisters Rosemarie and Genevieve, brothers William and Robert.
A Memorial Rosary service will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A Memorial Mass will be held on October 27, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 790 26 ½ Road, Grand Junction, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served in the Parish Hall following the Mass.
Internment will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, CO.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18