Rosemary P. Phillips

Rosemary P. Phillips, age 94, of Dover, passed away Monday, September 2, 2024, in Dover’s The Inn at Northwood Village.

Born October 11, 1929, in Harrisburg, Stark County, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Florence (Gulling) Zwick. Her father’s family owned and operated Zwick’s Department Store in Louisville for many years. Rosemary graduated from Mount St. Marie Academy in Canton, which later became Canton Central Catholic High School. She then went on to attend Canton’s Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Rosemary was wed to William O. “Bill” Phillips on November 23, 1950. Rosemary took a hiatus from her nursing career, and the couple reared a family of seven children. Rosemary and Bill later moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where Rosemary resumed her work as a registered nurse and Bill was co-owner of P.W. Associates. Bill passed away on March 6, 2014 - after 63 years of marriage, and shortly thereafter Rosemary returned to Ohio. 

Rosemary was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Rock Hill. She was happiest when she was around people, which made her a wonderful nurse - and a wonderful mother. Rosemary could also be a fierce competitor; she loved playing golf, tennis, ping-pong and cards. In her later years, true to her faith and her caring nature, she gave freely of her time and talent as a hospice volunteer and a soup kitchen worker. 

She will be dearly missed by her children, Pamela (Charles) Mizer of New Philadelphia, William (Karin) Phillips of Augusta, Georgia, Debbie (Terry) Immel and Mary Phillips, both of Dover. Thomas (fiancee, Krissy Cunningham) Phillips of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Robert (Debi) Phillips and Teresa Phillips Evans, both of Rock Hill; her 21 grandchildren; her 34 great-grandchildren; her four great-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Pat Darnell and Louise Zwick; and her many nieces and nephews. 

Besides her parents and her beloved husband, Bill, Rosemary was preceded in death by an infant grandson and her ten siblings - she was the last of her immediate family.

Family and friends are invited to call at the home of Robert and Debi Phillips, 2211 Dunlap Roddey Rd., Rock Hill, on Saturday, September 7, 3 - 5 p.m. Rosemary’s funeral Mass will be celebrated Sunday, September 8, at 12:30 p.m., in St. Mary Catholic Church, 902 Crawford Rd., Rock Hill. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens, 1774 Filbert Hwy., York, South Carolina.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests that contributions in Rosemary’s memory be made to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Ste. E, Uniontown, Ohio 44685, or to The Inn at Northwood Village, 5799 North Wooster Ave. Ext. N.W., Dover, Ohio 44622.