Irene Rosie Phillips

Irene Rosie (nee: Mello) Phillips, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at her home in South Gate, California. Irene was born in Imperial Valley on May 8, 1926. She is the ninth of ten children born to Emelia and Joseph Mello. She is now enjoying a reunion with her beloved parents and siblings: Aldina, Bella, George, Maxine, Manuel, Mary, Anthony, Virginia, and Tony.

While growing up in Imperial Valley, Irene lived through the Great Depression. And, like so many of this greatest of American generations, she learned the difficult life-shaping lessons of sacrifice, loss, hard work and the loving support of family. She helped out on her family’s dairy, carrying buckets of milk, along side her mother, to sell at the local market. She cried when her young brother, Anthony, tragically drowned in one of the canals that flowed through the basin of the valley. She prayed for her older brother, Manuel, while he fought during World War II and celebrated his safe return. She danced at each of her sisters’ and brothers’ weddings, and wept with her siblings when they laid their parents to rest.

Around 1944, Irene left her hometown to explore occupational possibilities near Los Angeles. Her sister Maxine and family, husband Sterling, and infant son Jimmy, graciously welcomed her into their home while she considered her options. She decided to pursue a degree in cosmetology and her brother-in-law, Sterling, kindly helped pay her tuition. In April of 1946, Irene graduated from the Chicago College of Beauty. She then began her career as a beautician and eventually opened her own beauty salon, Rene’s, in the city of Compton. That, proved to be a successful enterprise. She loved the artistic quality of hairdressing and practiced it for 40 years.

By the 1960s, Irene had been an independent, successful businesswoman for nearly a decade. Then, love entered her life, and his name was LaVerne Phillips. Irene and Verne married on February 20th 1967, and together they happily raised their beautiful dogs, Laddie, the Sheltie, and his buddy, the German Shepherd. Irene lavished both dogs with doting care and affection, using her beautician skills to provide them with expert and intense grooming that Vern documented in numerous photo shoots.

Though happily married and surrounded by the loving affection of her dogs, Irene still continually sought to further her education and personal skills. She earned her High School Diploma in 1973 at the Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School. She later learned to bake and decorate cakes. She took numerous courses in sewing to improve her already formidable skills. Irene loved to learn; she loved the opportunity to meet new people that learning environments provide. She enjoyed the process of sharing knowledge and building friendships.

Irene shared her joy of life with all of her family. She and Verne relished their dining adventures with Manual and Mary, Tony and Patsy, and Virginia and Joe. Irene was also a constant companion to her sisters Maxine and Mary. She made each of her nieces and nephews feel special by attending all weddings and baby showers, and mourning with each of them when one lost a parent. Even after her beloved Verne’s passing in March of 2009, Irene continued to be a vibrant presence for her sisters and brothers, their children and their children’s children.

She is forever loved, treasured, and remembered by her ten nieces and nineteen nephews as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. Her close neighbors, friends, and family embrace Irene Rosie (nee: Mello) Phillips’ loving, crazy, and fun spirit with the warmest of eternal hugs.

The viewing will be held at Funeraria Del Angel South Gate

8665 California Ave, South Gate, CA 90280 | 323-567-1294

January 13th 5-9PM with the Rosary at 7PM

The funeral mass will be held at Funeraria Del Angel

January 14th at 10AM

The burial is at Inglewood Cemetery following the funeral service

720 E Florence Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302

Reception will be held after the burial service at the home of:

Mary Mello and Family

11505 Elmhurst Drive

Norwalk, CA 90650

562-865-8045