Kathleen A. Phillips
March 12, 1932 - April 28, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Kathleen A. Phillips, age 88, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. She was born on March 12, 1932, the daughter of Maurice and Genevieve Purcell. Kathleen was raised on a dairy farm in Fitchburg and attended a one room schoolhouse with three students graduating in her class. She graduated from Edgewood High School in 1950 with a class of 148 students.
While raising a family of five children she began her career as the first parish secretary at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Kathleen worked for 26 years at Queen of Peace and in retirement continued to volunteer at the church and for the American Red Cross. Her love of faith, family and friends, along with her quick smile made this world a better place.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 42 years, William E. "Bill" Phillips; children, Robert (Anita) Rauch, Ruth Ann (Rob Gannon) Weber, Randall Rauch and Richard (Lindsay) Rauch; step-children, Cynthia Phillips, Edward (Mareea) Phillips, Marcella Phillips; son-in-law, Thomas Packard; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many close nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Genevieve; daughter, Rae Ellen Packard; siblings, Robert Purcell, LeRoy Purcell, Jane Hamilton and John Purcell; and her son-in-law, Thomas W. Weber, Sr.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Burial will follow at Oak Hall Cemetery in Fitchburg. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank Agrace HospiceCare and all of Kathleen's special friends who helped the family with their thoughts and prayers. Kathleen's children were blessed with her ultimate commitment and dedication to motherhood and the care and love she showered onto each of them over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace or Edgewood High School. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
JA
Judith Anderson
Other •
Thank you, Kay for all the wonderful class reunions you organized, and the luncheons you planned when classmates visited Madison. God bless, and RIP.
KW
Kathy Wehrle
Other •
Kathleen was a lovely soul that I would often see serving communion or doing readings at the 8 AM mass on Sunday’s at QP. I know she, also, so enjoyed her time as the secretary in the parish center at QP I also saw her smiling face when I gave blood at the Red Cross.
Though I did not know her well, she was a person who enjoyed people and loved to be of service to her community
PA
Peter H Aspinwall
Other •
We lost a great friend today. She will be on our prayer list. Pete and Rpsie Aspinwall
DK
David Kelliher
Other •
The Lord must have needed a good secretary for his parish up there so he called the best. Those who were blessed to know Kay are better because of that. Our thoughts and prayers are with Our friend Bill and his and Kay’s entire family at this time. We will all have to go to Otto’s and toast this wonderful women some warm summer night. Rest In Peace beautiful lady. Dave and Rita Kelliher.
LC
Lee Cator
Other •
Bill &family,
Kay was a true friend from the first day I met her. We’ll miss her kindness and great smile We’re so sorry for your loss. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. Lee & Bill Cator
EP
Ed Phillips
Other •
Kay is my stepmother but she was so much more. Tough as nails yet soft as a cloud. A smile that was quick and easy and sometimes rye ( my favorite). A deep love of faith and family that defined her. When Kay and Bill would visit us in California it was always a wonderful time and never long enough. Kay loved the ocean and every visit included a trip to the beach rain or shine. Yes it rains in California! One of my fondest memories is slogging around Riviera Country Club in the rain to watch the LA Open. She loved every minute of it. From her family here, Mareea and myself, her granddaughters Erin, Lora and Lindsey and her great grandson Tyler we are sad but also joyous that she is in the arms of her Lord.