Helen J. Phillips

Helen went home on April 30, 2013. She was a beloved mother, aunt, friend and sister- in-law. Helen was born in Roy, NM on 8/12/27 to Lucille and Ivan Johnson. Her younger sister was Mary May. They moved frequently as children due to their father’s occupation as a state police officer. Helen graduated from Deming High School. She married Joseph Owen Phillips on November 9, 1945. Helen and Joe lived in several different locations in the early years as Joe worked in the mining industry while getting a college degree, finally settling in Albuquerque. Their 3 children, Larry, Karen and Joey were raised there. Helen joined the work force when her youngest son went to first grade. She spent many years as a division secretary at Sandia National Laboratories, keeping a lot of engineers in line and on track. Not an easy job! Upon retirement, Helen and Joe traveled in their RV spending time in Mission, Texas; Lake Havasu, Arizona; and Surprise, Arizona. After Joe’s death, Helen stayed in Arizona for a time before returning to New Mexico for a while and then back to Arizona. At the time of her death she was living in Chandler, Arizona where she received tender, loving care from the caregivers at Sterling House and Castle Canyon.

Helen and Joe enjoyed many years of square dancing together, traveling to conventions with their friends. They also enjoyed playing cards, fishing, camping and traveling. The family took vacations to Disneyland; Virginia City, Nevada; San Francisco; and Florence, Alabama. Helen’s high school reunion at Deming was especially fun. Helen loved visiting her sister Mary May and her husband Jack and their sons, Les and Dale. Yahtzee was a favorite past time when her children were little. She also crocheted and made ceramics later on. But her all time favorite activity was talking and visiting, whether it was with her many friends and neighbors, relatives or a complete stranger. She could talk to anybody and often knew people’s life stories within minutes of meeting them. One of the great delights of her life was her secretary friends from Sandia. These wonderful ladies got together every month for years to eat and enjoy each others’ company. Helen was also a great cook. Her kids remember her delicious potato salad and making yummy pizzas. The list of her great meals is endless.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Owen Phillips; her sister, Mary May Carter; and her parents, Ivan and Lucille Johnson. She is survived by her children Larry Phillips and his wife, Nora of Phoenix, Arizona; Karen Wilson and her husband, Johnny of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Joey Phillips of Taos, New Mexico. She is also survived by her nephews, Les Carter, and his wife, Susan of Georgetown, Texas; and Dale Carter and his wife KayDee of Moscow, Oklahoma, as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and luncheon will be held Thursday, June 6th at 10 am at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Rev. Scott Sharp and Rev. Les Carter officiating. A private interment ceremony will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org or PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011) or the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico (https.animalhumanenm.org or 615 Virginia St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108).