Mary Dee Phillips 1951-2023

She was born in Warren on Feb. 13, 1951, the daughter of Delmar E. and Elizabeth J. Smolka Swindler Sr., and lived in Niles her entire life.

Mary Dee was of the Catholic faith and was a custodian at Niles City Schools for over 40 years, retiring in 2012. She was a 1971 graduate of Niles McKinley High School.

She enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, watching Westerns and listening to Led Zeppelin.

Mary Dee is survived by a granddaughter, Destiny Phillips, with whom she made her home; grandson, Luke; siblings, Rocky Tripodi of Georgia, Kenneth (Linda) Tripodi of Niles, Nancy Maybe of Niles, Elizabeth (Dave) Pasek of Niles, John Swindler of Niles, Delmar (Vicky) Swindler Jr. of Farmsville, Texas, Anthony (Theresa) Swindler of Liberty Township, Charles (Candace) Swindler of Champion; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Allen James Phillips, whom she married July 4, 1970, and who died March 26, 2011; daughter, Alaina Phillips ,who died Sept. 25, 2012; brother, Ronald Tripodi; and sister, Barbara Salyard.

A Service of Christian Burial will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, at Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, where family and friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Visit holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and share condolences with the family.

(special notice)