NORWICH – Margaret Phillips, 103 years, of Norwich, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2008, in the Gilmour Health Care Facility, where she had made her home for the past several years.
The daughter of John and Nora (Figary) Lorimer, Margaret was born in North Norwich in May of 1905. Growing up in North Norwich, she attended the local schools. Margaret and Chester Lloyd Phillips were married on May 5, 1924. During the Depression in the early 1930s, they built their home just east of Hawley’s Corners, where she would continue to live until 1997. Over the years, she belonged to the Norwich Township Grange, and worked for a time for the O’Hara family across the road.
An independent lady with a good sense of humor, Margaret would enjoy playing practical jokes, especially around April Fool’s Day and Halloween. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone, which meant she sometimes took a lot of guff from people; but she would still always help anyone in any way she could, and had helped her family over the years.
Always interested in the political scene, she would keep herself abreast of local and national politics to the point of contacting local and state leaders to offer her opinion. Margaret enjoyed quilting, stenciling, and playing cards, and was very proud of her home and of her association with the O’Hara family.
Margaret is survived by her son, Richard J. Phillips and wife Peg of Norwich; and by her grandchildren: David Phillips and wife Dale of Port Charlotte, Fla., Susan LaTart and husband David of Rochester, and Charles M. Phillips and wife Sandra of Cicero. Also surviving are great grandchildren: Steven LaTart of Minneapolis, Janine LaTart Jalal and husband Kabir of Buffalo, Kiel Phillips and wife Terry of North Carolina, and Charles “Scott” Phillips and Aubrey Anne Phillips, both of Cicero; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Chester, on May 6, 1958; by her great granddaughter, Stephanie Phillips; her sister, Edith Skinner; and her brothers: Earl, George and William Lorimer.
Funeral services for Margaret were held at 10 a.m. Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in the North Norwich Cemetery. Friends called at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the North Norwich Cemetery Association. P.O. Box 249, North Norwich, NY 13814.