Rhodora Villegas Phillips

Rhodora Villegas Phillips, age 65, of Baldwin, MD passed away on June 1, 2018 at her home. Born in the Philippines, she was the daughter of Lauro Gonzales Villegas and Antonina Santos Villegas.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Roy Phillips; daughter, Rebecca Phillips Riemer and husband, Justin, of Crownsville; son, Allan Phillips and wife, Katherine, of Tucson, AZ; two grandchildren, Julia Rose Riemer and Paige Marie Riemer both of Crownsville; three sisters, Zoraida Del Pilar, Corazon Belen and Ophelia Osias; and three brothers, Lazaro Villegas, Lauro Villegas and Isidoro Villegas, all residing in Chicago.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Andrew Villegas and sister, Natividad Antonio.

After graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, Rhodora came to the United States in 1975 to join many of her brothers and sisters in Chicago where she met her future husband in 1976. They were married one year later, then moved to Maryland where their lives together began. She was briefly employed at Shock-Trauma before becoming a full time homemaker and raising two children. Twenty years later she returned to work as office manager for her husband’s medical practice.

Rhoda, as she was known in the community, was loved by many and known for her generous spirit and kind heart. She made friends easily, whether at the local grocery store or in a foreign land. Many became friends for life. She was a source of knowledge to her friends for her horticultural and culinary skills, especially baking. Rhoda’s cookies were well known and quickly consumed at many Harford County social events. In her later years, she enjoyed the company of her loving grandchildren.

Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101 or The Kaufman Cancer Center, c/o Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD, 21014.

Also, in lieu of flowers, Rhodora would like to ask everyone to plant a tree in her memory.