Barbara Sue Phillips' Obituary
Barbara Sue Phillips passed away in San Mateo, California on Saturday, January 22, 2022 after an illness suffered in September of the previous year. Barb was born on December 1, 1932 to Henry and Mary Padden of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Barb spent her youth in the western Massachusetts town surrounded by a large family and lifelong friends. She earned her degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in the field of education. This led her to begin a teaching career, while also supporting our servicemen as a hostess in the local USO. This is how she met the love of her life, her late husband, Ponder who was stationed at Westover Air Force Base nearby.
They traveled west to start their lives and begin a family in Tucson, Arizona supported by their commitment to Ponder’s career with the Southern Pacific railroad, an employment that would allow them to experience home life in various cities and towns throughout the west. Ultimately, in 1966 they settled permanently in the San Francisco Bay Area to continue their family.
A master of crowd-pleasing baked goods, as well, a skilled card player, evidenced by her successful Bridge tournament record, Barb was loved by all and had many devoted friends locally, and around the country.
Those who will miss Barb the most are her daughter Candace and her husband Morgan Clark, her son Chris, her daughter Liane and her husband Robert Jenkins, her son Michael and his wife Jennifer, her son Mark and his wife Jennifer and her nine grandchildren, Lauren, Kristen, Adam, Aaron, Jordan, Grace, Logan Lyle and Bo. She will also be missed by her sister Mary Susan Grover, her brother David Padden and his wife Diane, Sisters-in-Law Bonnie Reece, Audrey Thomas, Betsy Pirrone and her husband Steve, Jacquie Padden and Judy Teague-Padden.
UPDATE: A memorial service has been scheduled for Friday, March 4th at 1:30pm at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 2715 Hacienda Street, San Mateo, CA. Out of an abundance of covid caution
there will not be a reception following the service. Here is a link to the church website where you can find their covid rules. Thank you.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?