PHILLIPS

The family of Margaret Catherine Phillips sadly announces her death on Sunday August 24, 2015 at Pioneer Ridge.
Marg was born on Dec 1, 1928 in Port Arthur to Paul and Agatha Mauro and was raised in a large Italian family on Banning St. She attended St Joseph's elementary school and Port Arthur Tech high school. Later she took night school and correspondence courses.
While working at Kresge's, she caught the eye of a sailor from Fort Frances, Leo Phillips. They married and lived in Sioux Narrows and Fort Frances before settling in Terrace Bay and raising their 6 children there.
She was a great cook, made the best blueberry pies, and loved cooking for a crowd. Her interests were many - golfing, bowling, cross country skiing, aerobics and watching hockey, even playing the sport herself. Marg judged figure skating and helped at the carnivals as well as announcing at competitions for many years. She joined TOPS to lose weight when it started in Terrace Bay and was very proud to reach KOPS. She was honored to be citizen of the year for Terrace Bay, where she lived from 1947 to 2009. She was part of the team who organized the reunion there in 1997.
She began working by doing the books for her dad's business at the age of 15 and she never stopped working. Her career at the hospital in Terrace Bay took her from ward aide when she started in 1963 to department head when she retired in 1996. She went on many recruitment tours for the hospital, singing the praises of Terrace Bay and the hospital and telling new doctors why they would love to live and work in the community. She was very good at this because she believed in her town and was devoted to the hospital. Once she retired, she became a member of the board of directors for 9 years, serving mainly as vice president and also as chair of the board for a year. She also did OHIP billing for the doctors and spent countless hours volunteering. Her work ethic was unparalleled. An optimist, she believed education and hard work would pay off. Leo supported all her endeavors, often washing dishes while she did homework. They had a great love and were a great team, especially on the dance floor, travelling, and watching hockey games. Her greatest love was always her family and her greatest joy was having everyone home.
Marg was predeceased by her parents, brothers Frank, Joe, John, sisters Connie, Rita, Rose, Irene, Beatrice, Doris, and Anita and husband Leo as well as other relatives.
Survived by sister Angie, and brother Bob. Her children: Lloyd (Bonnie), Bev, Kelly (Kathy), Shirley (Ron), Gord (Adrienne) and Norma (Chris). Grandchildren are Lana (Jim), Chris (Melody), Kyla, Jeff (Sheila), Corey, Sharon, Katie (Stan), Emily, Travis (Nerine), and Maggie (Jenn). Greatgrandchildren are Tatum, Jorja, Madison, Avery, Amelia, Olivia, Allyson and Trent. She was the matriarch of this family and the strongest woman any of us ever knew.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 28, 2015, at Terrace Bay Community Church. In honor of a passion of Marg's, her family asks that you wear something red that day. If friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Marg to the Alzheimer Society, the McCausland Hospital, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

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