Grandma Lorraine

Less than two months after my Grandpa John passed away, my Grandma Lorraine passed. We didn't think we'd see all of our family that soon, but once again, it was nice to see everyone, despite the circumstances. Ryan and Shannon came back from California and Levi got to spend some time with them, and all the other family, too.

My grandmother was possibly one of the nicest people I knew, her caring spirit was one I can only hope to have (and strive for).

From the Kansas City Star:
Lorraine M. Phillips

Lorraine M. Phillips, age 85, passed away Friday, April 3, 2009, at Research Medical Center. Services will be under the direction of McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home on Thursday, April 9, 2009, at the funeral chapel, 11924 E. 47th, Kansas City, Mo., at 1 p.m. Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Lorraine was born in Leavenworth, Kan., on July 18, 1923, and came to the Kansas City area via Excelsior Springs, Mo. She graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1941. She volunteered with the U.S.O. during WW II. After working for some time in the administrative offices of the Rock Island Railroad she became a wife, mother to four children and proud homemaker. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John E Phillips, Sr., in February 2009, her parents, Frank and Josephine Kochanowski, and two brothers, Harry and Gene Kochanowski. Surviving family include her four children, Mary Anne Phillips (James Scott) of Joplin, Mo., Cece Hopper (Mike) of West Des Moines, Iowa, John E. Phillips, Jr., of Raytown, Mo., and Angie Phillips (Tim Goodspeed) of Portland, Ore.; three sisters, Betty Dowell of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Louise Barr of Leawood, Kan., and Shirley Fagan of Lenexa, Kan.; four grandchildren, Tiffany Vokt of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Ryan Hopper of Eureka, Calif., Simone Scott of Joplin, Mo., and Timothy Phillips of Raytown, Mo.; a great grandson, Levi Vokt, also of Council Bluffs, Iowa.