Eileen Phyllis McPhillips

Eileen Phyllis McPhillips, 93, of Saginaw, our devoted mother and grandmother, was born into eternal life on the morning of Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Covenant Cooper. Eileen was born in Alpena on March 15, 1926, the daughter of the late Henry and Selma (Yockey) McDonald. She married Patrick McPhillips on February 3, 1945, in Alpena. They were married for 56 years before Patrick passed away on October 10, 2001. Eileen retired from the City of Saginaw, where she worked as a clerk in the water department. She enjoyed winters spent in Florida, crocheting, and time spent with family. A devout Catholic, Eileen loved to pray, especially the Rosary. Most recently, Eileen was a resident of Edgewood Assisted Living, where she loved watching the birds and squirrels on the birdfeeders outside her window. Eileen leaves to carry on her legacy, her children: Dianne (Richard) Lichon of Saginaw, Kathleen (James) McCaslin of Estero, Florida, Mary Ann Schark of Saginaw, Barbara (David) Strickland of Glenpool, Oklahoma, and Colonel Dr. John (Lisa) McPhillips of Colleyville, Texas; eleven grandchildren: Linda Lichon, Dick (Michalene) Lichon, Jason (Christy) McCaslin, David (Mary) Schark, Carrie (Tim) Wilson, Kristen (Jeff) Platte, Rachael Strickland, Alyssa Strickland, Dustin (Brittany) McPhillips, Holden (Amanda) Hylander, and John Patrick “J.P.” (Roxanne) McPhillips, Jr.; fourteen great-grandchildren: Emily, John, Ann, Lauryn, Alexandra, David, Kellan, Mason, Camden, Sofia, Hayes, Evan, Olivia, and Ella; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Shirley McDonald and Joan McDonald, Lawrence (Sandra) McPhillips, along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Eileen was predeceased by an infant son, Richard; son-in-law David A. Schark; four brothers, James (Virginia) McDonald, Robert McDonald, Richard (Carol) McDonald, and David McDonald; her father and mother-in-law, Leo and Florence (Mason) McPhillips, and her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Leo McPhillips, Richard (Ruth) McPhillips, Betty (Ray) Tussing, James McPhillips, Peter “Marv” McPhillips, Sister Marie McPhillips, and Gertrude (Joseph) Allen. Eileen's family will be present to receive visitors on Sunday, April 7, 2019, from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a 5:00 PM Vigil for Eileen at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services (formerly Reitz-Herzberg), 1550 Midland Rd., between State and Gratiot Roads. On Monday, April 8, 2019, Eileen will be taken to Holy Spirit Parish, 1035 N. River Rd., Thomas Twp., where visitation will continue from 10:00 AM until Eileen's 11:00 AM Funeral Liturgy. Fr. Peter Gaspeny will officiate with the Rite of Committal to be held privately in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Holy Spirit Parish. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Edgewood Assisted Living, Hospice, and Covenant Cooper for taking such good care of Eileen.