Rena Mary Phillips

Mary is survived by her daughters, Gale Lee (Emery) of Alpine, Arizona and Connie Phillips (Charles Humphreville) of Phoenix, Arizona, one granddaughter, Laura Eyring, and two grandsons, Eric Eyring and Kurt Eyring. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Ripley, and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn William Phillips, and her parents.

Mary and her sister, Alice, competed in Arizona’s synchronized swimming championships in the 1940s, winning their division. She was active in synchronized swimming during high school at North High and then during the years she attended Phoenix College.

Mary graduated from Arizona State University in 1950 with a degree in Physical Education. She later went back and picked up courses she needed to teach elementary school. She spent 27 years teaching primary grades at Jorgensen Elementary School in the Roosevelt School District.

Mary loved her friends, her family and her church. Everyone was a friend. She quilted, attended Book Club, enjoyed Relief Society and Church, met friends for coffee at McDonald’s and lived life to the fullest.

Special thanks go to the wonderful people at Tangelo Grove Senior Care Home and Hospice of the Valley for their wonderful care and love for Mary in her final years.

“In life we loved you dearly

In death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a place,

No one will ever fill.”

-Anonymous

To give condolences or leave special memories, visit www.dignitymemorial.com.