Obituary of Hilda H. Phillips

Hilda H. Phillips Hilda H. Phillips entered into eternity peacefully the morning of March 2, 2010. Hilda was born on July 31, 1921 to Albert and Margaret Rohrs in New York City. She graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1940, and then went to work at Schatz's Federal Bearing in Poughkeepsie, where she met the love of her life, Kenneth W. Phillips. They were married at the Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers on October 21, 1943. Hilda raised their family in Wappingers Falls and was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. An avid reader, Hilda could always be found with a good book close by, even if it was one she had read several times before. She instilled that love of reading in her whole family. She and Ken enjoyed travelling on bus trips in their early retirement to several fun locations. She is survived by her two daughters, Ruth Wiedemann of Jarrell, TX, and Amy Churchill and her husband Steve of Wappingers Falls. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Lisa Morris and her husband Philip Malinovsky of Poughkeepsie; Scott Morris and his wife Betsy of Austin, TX; as well as by her great-grandchildren Elyzabeth, Zachary, and Wyatt Morris of Austin. Hilda is also survived by her sister, Ruth Gravance of Poughkeepsie, and several brothers-in- law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Her beloved Ken predeceased her in 2006. In addition, she was predeceased by her son Thomas; her brother Harold Rohrs; and her son-in-law August (Sonny) Wiedemann. Hilda's family owes a debt of gratitude to the caring, generous staff of Elant at Fishkill in Beacon, where Hilda lived for the past ten and a half years�especially the nursing and aide staff on South One both present and past. Ken and Hilda were cared for side by side for many years at Elant, and their family is convinced that this loving care helped them enjoy many years than they might have had in other circumstances. In addition, Pastor Ralph Verdu of the Bethel Baptist Church had been a great friend and comfort to her, especially since Ken's passing, for which we are grateful. Visitation will be held Monday, March 8, 2010 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Straub Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. A graveside service for all those who can attend will take place at Wappingers Rural Cemetery, Route 9D in Wappingers Falls on Tuesday, March 9 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hilda's memory to the Grinnell Library, 2642 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, or the Bethel Baptist Church, 511 Shenandoah Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.