Cecilia Marie Phillips

[Evansville, IN] — Cecilia Marie Phillips, age 86, passed away on 9 February 2026. She leaves behind a legacy defined by her boundless youthful energy, compassion, and an incredibly adventurous spirit that inspired everyone who knew her.

After graduation from high school, Cecilia joined the novitiate, but shifted to nursing shortly thereafter to dedicate her professional life to nursing. Throughout her career, she provided comfort and healing to countless individuals, starting with the Visiting Nurse Association of Indianapolis as a home healthcare nurse. After moving to Evansville with her family in 1975, taught medical-surgical nursing at the University of Evansville while pursuing her Masters in Nursing. She served as a night nurse at the Vanderburgh County jail, then moved to Deaconess, where she was involved in the early days of the nursing program. She is remembered by her colleagues as vibrant and having lived “the most interesting life!”

Never one to let age define her or slow her down, she made the bold and courageous decision to fulfill a childhood dream to join the United States Army, so at the age of 50, she made her way to basic training at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. She served proudly in Korea as a psychiatric nurse, applying her deep well of empathy and medical expertise to care for her fellow service members. Her military service was a shining example of her fearless approach to life and her unwavering desire to help others. When she finally retired, it was from a busy marriage counseling practice.

While Cecilia was deeply proud of her career and military service, her heart truly belonged to her family and friends. Growing up in Marion, Indiana, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, she learned early on the value of staying connected, a commitment she honored her whole life. She was fiercely loyal to her loved ones, keeping up a weekly virtual Euchre game with three of her earliest childhood friends, and embracing her neighbors in the Timberlake Condominium community as a deeply loved extended family. She brought her signature adventurous spirit to her role as a grandmother, creating cherished memories by taking her teenage grandchildren on special trips designed around their individual interests and curiosities.

She is survived by her brother James Rademaker, five children: Lynne (Terry) Lewis, Mary Schmelz, Kathy (Joe) Stover, Tom (Teresa) Gerleman, and Julie Petro. Her legacy of love and adventure will live on through her 10 grandchildren: Alexander Skiles, Elliott Skiles, Shane Provost, Emily Brown, Meredith Schmelz, Miranda Schmelz, Rachael Gerleman, Chelsea Peters, Gaige Pattschull, and Jasmine Pattschull; as well as her 14 great-grandchildren: Cameron Brown, Maria Provost, Miguel Provost, Sofia Provost, Catherine Provost, Lucas Provost, Therésè Provost, Ryder Brown, Nash Brown, Preston Skiles, Madison Skiles, Bronx Kasper, London Peters, Sterling Pattschull, a soon-to-be-born great-grandson, and other grandchildren and great-grandchildren who waited for her in heaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband Preston Donald Phillips.

Visitation will be hosted at Alexander Funeral Home North Chapel at 4200 Stringtown Road on 16 February 2026 from 3-7pm. A Mass of Christian burial to honor and celebrate Cecilia’s extraordinary life will be held on 17 February at 10am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 613 Cherry Street. Viewing before Mass will begin at 9am. If you would like to view the livestream of the service, follow Sts. Mary and John Parish Facebook Page and you will receive a notification when the livestream begins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul, the Carmelite Monastery, Sts. Mary and John Catholic Parish, or Casa Maria Convent and Retreat House in her memory.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com