Geraldine Rae Phillips

Geraldine Rae Phillips, nee Florian, age 91, of Lansing, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Loving mother of Michael (Karen) Phillips, Richard (Kim Panzarella) Phillips, and Carol Brouwer. Proud grandmother of Cameron (Paige) Brouwer, Corinna (Nathan) Rarick, and Candice (Travis) Huyser. Great-grandmother of Brecken, Von, Heath, Hayes, Bennett, and “3 more on the way”.  Dear sister of the late Lorraine (late Fran) Wright. Former wife of Edward Phillips.  Preceded in death by her parents Frank and Julia Anna Florian.

Our mom, Geri grew up in Chicago, IL. She married our dad Ed and moved to South Holland, IL where they raised the family. She has lived in Lansing, IL for the past 30 years.

Mom was retired from Marshall Fields at River Oaks Shopping Center where she worked for 25 years.  She loved interacting with the customers and her co-workers there.  She often received compliments from customers on how beautifully and with great care she would gift wrap items that were purchased.

She loved raising her family and was involved in our young lives very much, from being a Cub Scout Den Mother, “Hot Dog Lady”, “Picture Lady”, and PTA member.  She instilled in us the gift of love for the beach with summers full of fun trips to the Warren Dunes to climb the sand-hill, watch the hang gliders and of course, swim!

Mom was gifted with the art of hospitality!  Entertaining was what she excelled in.  A fun summer party just wasn’t complete without her famous Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken (basted every 15 minutes!) done on the rotisserie.

She learned to golf and always enjoyed the golf leagues she was part of, especially planning out the festivities that go along with golf luncheons like decorations, prizes and party favors.

Baking was one of our mom’s favorite enjoyments. At Christmas-time she would bake countless cookies, purchase numerous boxes, pack, wrap and decorate the packages which would be passed on to family members, grandchildren and friends. Frango Mint brownies and Kolache’s were fan favorites!  Her Gingerbread Houses were always looked forward to that she would donate to the annual Holy Ghost Christmas Bazaar’s back in the 1970’s in South Holland, IL.

Sewing, gardening, and feeding the birds (and squirrels) were another favorite pastime for mom.  She loved taking care of her plants and flowers and was a master in taking such good care of her two gardenia plants that would blossom year after year.  Their aroma would take over her home in the winter as she would dig them up and care for them inside during the winter months.  Her front porch concrete goose was always dressed for the season with beautiful little dresses and accessories she would hand sew for them so they were always ready to greet her visitors. She was our go-to seamstress for any type of repairs like broken zippers and years of ripped work jeans that she would work her sewing wonders on and make them good as new again!

In her later years she was given the bonus time to enjoy the gift of grandchildren.  She established her home as a haven of fun and imagination for her three grandkids, fostering play that has inspired life-long interests and future endeavors.  Stove-top popcorn in the kettle, Root Beer Floats, and Stouffer’s Mac n Cheese always tasted so much better at Grandma’s house.  American Girl dolls were always dressed up with little outfits she would lovingly hand sew for them. During the holiday seasons, she would always make sure to call and announce what time Charlie Brown, Frosty or Rudolph would be on TV.

As the grandchildren grew up and married, she was always excited and felt so blessed to hear that a new great grand baby was on the way, and she was so excited to learn that three were coming in the Spring…she loved to brag that she would have eight great grandbabies.

Her eloquent penmanship (thanks to the nuns at the St. Adrian’s Catholic School in Chicago), thoughtful words and specially selected stationery along with cute stickers on the envelopes have cheerfully greeted many, many family members and friends.  Using her photo copier to the highest capacity to forward a fun picture or an irresistible recipe.

Mom and her best friend Diane have experienced every chapter of life since they were in third grade.  So many photos of their youth as sweet little girls, as stunning teens posing like they were models, each other’s maid of honor on their wedding days, raising their families, and into the later years as age began to surface.  They were a source of encouragement and support to each other that only a best friend could be.

Our mom had a heart for the Lord and leaned into and praised Him through the happy times and the not-so-happy times.  Her past two years of dealing with multiple health issues were a challenge that only a strong lady like herself would be able to endure.  She questioned her Lord, but never lost hope that His ways are the best ways!  We will miss the amazing impact she has filled all of our lives with but we rejoice that she is at last pain free and able celebrate her first Christmas with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…. “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful”

Geri’s wishes were to not have any services.  In the spring, her family will be bringing her ashes to Warren Dunes and her parent’s cemetery in Three Oaks, MI to celebrate her life and love for springtime in Michigan.  Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home – Dyer, IN.  For further information, please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com