"Memorial:I have so many wonderful and positive thoughts of Mary. She always had a smile to share and a positive comment. She will be greatly missed by I know that God has gained a wonderful angel up above. To Kathy, who is the only child of hers I knew, my thoughs and prayers are with you as with they are with all the family, Marge Brutscher"
In loving memory of
Mary Phillips
May 18, 1921 - January 23, 2012
Mary Sylvester Phillips, 90 year-old-resident of Little Falls, MN, died Monday, Jan. 23, in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Father Nick Landsberger will officiate. Friends may gather from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Parish Prayers will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Mary Lorena Sylvester was born May 18, 1921 in Little Falls, MN to the late Charles A. and Elizabeth "Bess" (Tomelty) Sylvester. She was a life-long resident of Little Falls, except during her college years when she attended the College of St. Catherine and the University of Minnesota. On Sept. 4, 1941, Mary was united in marriage to Robert J. Phillips, lawyer and Little Falls City attorney who practiced law until shortly before his death in 1994. The couple resided in Little Falls, MN where together they raised seven children. Mary was a mother and grandmother extraordinaire, community historian and leader, gifted writer and journalist, mentor, teacher and friend to generations of people whose lives she touched. Mary was deeply committed to Little Falls - its history, its schools, its people, its business. As she raised her children, she volunteered tirelessly in her community and served in numerous leadership roles: Morrison County United Way, the Morrison County Historical Society, Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, St. Mary's Parent Teacher Association, Meals on Wheels, Great River Arts Association, Heartland Symphony, St. Gabriel's Hospital Auxiliary, American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society, Linden Hills Conference Center, Pine Grove Zoo and Hospice. She was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. In 2000, Mary was honored with the Little Falls Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award for her lifetime of community service. In her mid-fifties when Mary's youngest child entered grade school, Mary embarked on her professional life. She returned to school at the College of St. Benedict and pursued journalism. She became a newspaper reporter and columnist for the Little Falls Daily Transcript and St. Cloud Times for the next 23 years. Mary's gift was her ability to write about ordinary people and everyday life. Her news stories and columns captured the dignity, humanity and wisdom of others' lives. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Mary E. "Betsy" Wetzel of Little Falls, MN; Diane G. Rasmussen of Cambridge, MN; Maureen A. Phillips and husband, John (Jay) Horan of St. Paul, MN; Kathleen (Kate) Phillips and husband, Noel Ashcroft of Sauk Rapids, MN; Dr. Charles Phillips and wife, Kristi of Cambridge, MN and daughter-in-law, Karen Phillips of Grosse Pointe, MI; grandchildren, Anne Mills, Shawn Wetzel, Christina Halleen, Philip Rasmussen, Ashley Horan, Lex Horan, Anthony Marshik, Allison Ashcroft, Jack Ashcroft, Alyson Phillips, Robbie Phillips and Steven Phillips; and great-grandchildren, Michael Castle, Tyler Wetzel, Abby Wetzel, Chelsea Wetzel, Lukas Wetzel, Ian Halleen and Max Halleen. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Sylvester (1958); her mother, Bess Sylvester (1980); husband, Robert J. Phillips (1994); sons, James Charles Phillips (1954) and Robert J. Phillips Jr. (1994); daughter-in-law, Linda D. Phillips (1992); and brother, Charles Sylvester Jr. (1959). Memorials Preferred to Phillips Sylvester Scholarship Fund c/o Little Falls Community High School or the Morrison County Historical Society.
Tributes
"Memorial:My condolences to your family. I enjoyed reading her stories when the LFDT was still in business, and when she moved on to the St. Cloud Times. Blessed be her memory."
"Memorial:My sympathies to Mary's family. I was a feature writer fresh out of college in the early 1990s when I first met Mary at the St. Cloud Times. She was so welcoming and encouraging. It was always a good day when Mary visited the newsroom or when the features staff could steal away for an afternoon up in Little Falls for lunch and a "brainstorming session" at her house. Her writing was as warm and personal as she was. Kendra Meinert, Green Bay"
"Memorial:Rest in peace Grandma Mary"
"Memorial:Mary was the most wonderful client I had ever done!!! I always looked forward to her appt @ HeadFirst Salon!!- when I worked there she always came to me EVERY 4-5 weeks to get herself pampered w/ a Maicure & Pedicure!! Oh I have missed her since I quit working there due to different management! I was soooo sad to hear of her passing!! She really was a magnifcant LADY!! My condolenses to her family- she always talk about her kids & grandkids.... She will be greatly missed!!! She is home w/ our lord & savior!!"
"Memorial:I have admired Mary and her family from afar. As a childhood friend of her daughter Maureen, I recall stories of a truly loving family and gifted mother. Having moved to the east coast in the late 1960's, I learned later about Mary Phillips the gifted writer who spoke to the hearts of so many, including my extended family living in Morrison County. Thank God for her life well lived and much love to her family."
"Memorial:Heaven couldn't receive a nicer person and now she has Bob again"
"Memorial:Thinking of you at this sad time. Mary"
"Memorial:Phillips Family - Your mother has left a great legacy in our community! I got to know her well when we both covered the local news scene while she was a news reporter for the Transcript and later the St. Cloud Times. She had a great writing capability that included articles in Minnesota Moments magazine. Thanks for sharing your mother with us. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.She lived a full and good life. Rest in peace, Mary. Lee Ann Doucette, Little Falls"
"Memorial:I am sadden at the loss of of a truly wonderful person. I worked with Mary at the Transcript. She opened her heart and her home and helped us feel like a part of the community. She and Bob and the kids were are family; as much ours as the ones we left behind. She always had a smile and a story to tell."