Nancy Smith Phillips

1929 - 2022

Nancy passed away peacefully in Rancho Mirage, California after a long, full life at the age of 92.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Sidney S. Smith and Mary C. Smith, she went on to attend Slippery Rock College where she received a Masters degree in Education. She met and married John Kovac, and relocated to San Diego, California where she taught kindergarten and raised three children - Kevin, Sydney, and John. She was actively involved in her children's lives – daily swim practice, weekend bicycle racing, chaperoning a European bicycle/eurail trip, planning ocean cruises and vacations to Hawaii.

Nancy was a dedicated and avid supporter of the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park as well as an active member of ZLAC rowing club on Mission Bay. She also performed as a synchronized swimmer in Chula Vista. She enjoyed local casino trips to play the slots with her dear friend and neighbor Robin Pitchford.

She remarried in 1979 to Frank Phillips with whom she gained three stepsons, Bruce, Kenny, and Frankie Phillips and lived in Bonita, CA for over forty years in the house that Frank built and designed. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, sewing and being active in the community.

She is survived by her daughter Sydney Peterson ( Richard) and son John Kovac; stepson Kenny Phillips ( Annie); along with her grandchildren Alden ( Gina) and Cornelia Peterson; and great-grandchildren Lennux and Eilonwy. She was preceded in death by her son Kevin Kovac, and stepsons Bruce and Frankie Phillips along with her first husband John Kovac and second husband Frank Phillips.

Her contribution to our family is immeasurable, and she will be dearly missed.

Nancy will be interned at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California. There are no public services scheduled.