Barbara Z. Phillips

Barbara Z. Phillips, 98, formerly of Vernon CT, beloved wife of the late Francis Phillips, passed away peacefully in her sleep October 6, 2024. Barbara was born September 10, 1926, in Rockville, CT, the only child of John O. and Anna M. Zenker. She grew up in Rockville CT, graduated Rockville High School at 16 and then worked as a secretary at both The Hartford and The Envelope. After giving birth to her second child, she left the workforce and became a full-time mother and homemaker.

Barbara and Francis had a lovely romance. Although they both grew up in Rockville, they didn't truly meet until Francis returned from his service in World War II. Barbara, then working as a secretary, started to notice how handsome he was and often found him leaning on her car and smiling when she would come out of a shop. Then, Barbara and her friend took the bus to Hampton Beach for a vacation. As the bus was pulling into town, Barbara saw Francis coming out of C Street. She said to her friend, "We need to set up our blanket in that part of the beach!" Later, when she was on the beach Francis walked by and she said, "Why Francis Phillips, I'm so surprised to see you here!" They went out that night on a date and when she was chilled by the cool nighttime ocean air, he took off his shirt so she could wear it. She wore it to bed for the rest of the trip and when he drove her home and dropped her off at her house, she told her mother, "I know who I want to marry someday." They married on April 23, 1949, and shared a life for 71 years until his passing.

Barbara had a passion for music and had an amazing singing voice. As a young woman, she sang professionally in clubs in Tolland and Hartford County, on the radio with a live orchestra, and sang Always at the State Theater in Hartford. She loved art and was an incredibly talented amateur painter, decorating the walls of her home and those of dear friends. You would never find Barbara without a book in her hand, and Francis built many bookcases, in every room of the house, to store all those books. Barbara passed her passion for the arts and reading to her three children and all her grandchildren.

She was a loving mother to her three children, embracing each of their spouses as her own, and was a devoted and adoring Noni to her grandchildren. Barbara's faith was very important to her, exemplified through her great generosity, her service as a Sunday School teacher, and her willingness to put the needs of others before her own. Barbara is survived by her son Mark Phillips and his wife Anne; her son David Phillips and his wife Maria; her daughter Barbara-Anne Angelica and her husband Mark; her granddaughter Melissa Strauss and her husband Robert; her grandson Jason Phillips and his fiancé Kathleen; her granddaughter Nicole Angelica and her husband Kshitij Sharma; her granddaughter Kathryn Angelica; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her family and loved ones.

Calling hours will be at the Burke Fortin Funeral Home on Prospect Street in Rockville on Saturday, October 12, from 9-11. A service will be held on-site followed by the burial at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Rockville. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Barbara's great love for animals, please send a donation to the National Wildlife Federation.

For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com