On February 28th, 2023, Theresa Matern Phillips passed away at Tomball Nursing Home at the age of 95. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, Herbert Llewellyn Phillips.  She is remembered fondly by her daughters, Dorothy A. Zawadzki (Paul) of Coventry, RI and Kathleen L Busby (Michael) of Westminster, Colorado.  Mom was the proud grandmother of Deborah A. Betancourt (Richard) of Fort Worth, Texas; Susan L Aslani (Koosha) of Taichung City, Taiwan; Daniel P. Zawadzki of Boston, Massachusetts; Jonathan D. Busby and Anna R. Guthrie (Kevin) of Westminster, Colorado.  Mom is remembered by six great grandsons, Ari G. Betancourt and Deven C. Betancourt of Fort Worth, Texas; Simeon M. Guthrie, Phillip B. Guthrie, William O. Guthrie of Westminster, Colorado; Cohen S. Aslani of Taichung City, Taiwan.

She is predeceased by her two sisters, Dorothy S. Knox of New Providence, New Jersey and Rose S. Ford of Summit, New Jersey and Frederick Schopf of Hoboken, New Jersey.  She also had several siblings in Germany and England.

Theresa Anna was born June 30, 1927, in Union CIty, New Jersey to Annie E. Berg and William Matern.  Mom graduated early from Summit High school and went to work at the Bank of New York in NYC.

While Dad was working at Lyons Veterans Hospital in New Jersey, they met on a blind date, and were married six months later. They lived in New Jersey for eight years.  After the death of Grandma Matern, they moved to Dad's hometown of Canton, Ohio. Mom worked as a secretary for many years.  She also was the principal and teacher at Raedel Secretarial School.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their many travels around the world after Dad's early retirement. But their real love was of their many trips to Hawaii, Disney World and numerous cruises. Mom's pet dogs gave her much joy, and also rescuing lost and hurt ducks and birds at Lake Cable. She was a supporter of ASPCA and helper of the helpless.

She had a mutual love of music with Dad. Mom told us she sang in an operetta at Summit High School.  Watching musicals on tv was a favorite activity. Another past time of Mom was going to garage sales with Dad. They enjoyed fixing, painting and reselling their treasures. They also had the opportunity to converse with many people along the way. Mom was the "straight man" for Dad's many jokes! Socializing at the YMCA was a favorite activity as the years passed and they downsized in Texas. Mom was known for her lasagna and pumpkin pie she would bring to the potluck lunches. Mom lost the "love of her life" when Dad died in March of 2019.  At that time Mom moved to Tomball Nursing Home for assistance.

Theresa was a member of the West Houston, Christadelphian Church. In August of 1946, She was baptized into Christ. Now she rests in peace awaiting the certain hope of resurrection to eternal life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Houston SPCA or the Greater Houston YMCA at Cypress Creek.

We would like to thank the caregivers and nurses of the Tomball Nursing Center, Amedisys Hospice Care. and our dearest friends in Houston who tended to Mom while we were not nearby. She will be missed by many. A Celebration of Theresa's Life will be held this spring.  A date will be announced later.

To quote Her favorite Bible verses from the 23rd Psalm:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.   Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."