Rosalie “Rosie” Drynan Phillips, a long-time resident of the Helena area, died Thursday, January 5, 2017 in her Yuma, Arizona home of natural causes.
Rosalie was born in Anaconda, Montana on February 4, 1938 to Theodore Sisich Sr. and Dorothy Goltz Sisich. Rosalie attended Anaconda Central High School and Carroll College where she graduated with a Registered Nursing Degree. During that duration of high school, she met the love of her life Dr. John Joseph Drynan and they were married July 2, 1960. John and Rosalie moved to Chicago, Illinois for John to attend medical school at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine while Rosalie worked at Frank Cuneo Memorial Hospital as the Lead Nurse of the Post-Operative floor and had the birth of their first child (Deborah Ann). They then moved to Spokane, Washington for John to complete his residency and after three children (Kathleen Marie, Stephanie Patricia and Timothy Michael) were born they made their way back to Helena, Montana.
Once back in Helena they had three more children (Thomas Eugene and Jennifer Lynn) and their beloved adopted daughter Glenda Kay. Rosalie focused her time on raising her seven wonderful children until she returned to work in 1981 as a Registered Nurse for Dr. Faust Alvarez then went on to work for Dr. Etter for twelve years. Rosalie lost her treasured life love John on May 15, 1998. She continued to work and finished out her career at the Evergreen Nursing Home as the Residential Care Manager and then retired in August, 1999.
Rosalie then met her life companion Harold “Hal” Allison Phillips and they were married on November 15, 2001. They spent the remaining part of their lives together in Yuma, Arizona. They made yearly visits to see all of Rosalie’s seven children and grandchildren.
Rosalie was truly an amazing person filled with complete joy. She was always there to support her family and was the glue that held everyone together. She loved bright colors, jewelry and always had her nails painted. Everyone will remember her as a true vision of grace and class.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband. Survivors include: husband, Harold “Hal” Phillips; children, Glenda (Robert) Dupuis of Tooele, UT, Debbie (David) Rosencrans of Helena, Kathy (Steve) Edwards of Florence, Stephanie (Keith) Stotts of Las Vegas, NV, Tim (Angie) Drynan of Las Vegas, NV, Tom (Kim) Drynan of Vancouver, WA, and Jennifer (Scott) Schall of Arlee, MT; brothers, John (Janice) Sisich, Ted (Brenda) Sisich; sister, Betty Best; brother in-laws; Dr. James (Sheila) Drynan, Thomas Drynan, and David (Cathy) Drynan; fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who will always and forever be loved by Grandma Rose and also several nieces and nephews who she will forever cherish.
The family appreciates everyone’s support during the duration of the loss of a wonderful wife, mother, sister, sister in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.
A Funeral Liturgy will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 17th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Ave. A reception will immediately follow the service at the Fort Harrison Service Club, 1956 Mt. Majo St., Fort Harrison, located on the Fort Harrison Army Base. Please note you will need a valid driver’s license to get through the gate. Burial will 11:00 a.m., Wednesday January 18th at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Rosie.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 17, 2017
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday January 17, 2017
Ft. Harrison Service Club
1965 Mt. Majo Street
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Burial
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 18, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Ft. Harrison , Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 17, 2017
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday January 17, 2017
Ft. Harrison Service Club
1965 Mt. Majo Street
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Burial
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 18, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Ft. Harrison , Montana 59636
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Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Dear Debbie and Dave and the Drynan family,
We were real sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a great gal, always so darn much fun with the best sense of humor. She will certainly be missed. Please know that we care and we’re keeping you all in our prayers at this difficult time. I’m very sure she and your Dad are planning a St. Patrick’s Day Party right now. Sending you hugs and prayers!
Michelle Anderson says
Debbie and Dave
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you…..Michelle and your old bowling family
Leon and Marsha Belville says
Dave Drynan and Family- We are so sorry to hear of your sisters passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Leon and Marsha Belville
Del Post says
Our thoughts and prayers to the family. Rosie left a wonderful legacy through her children and the kind of people they are. We love the Drynan family and are so blessed to know them and count them as friends.
Del & Nicole Post
Larry Phillips & Ryan Bondroff says
Rose was truly a second Mom to me and Ryan. My dad, Harold and Rosie were such a good fit together. After losing our Mom Dolores, to have my Dad find such a completely wonderful person as Rosie to be in his life, it was truly a blessing. My Partner Ryan who is both deaf-blind gave her the sign name for flower using the letter “R”. Meaning Rose!
We were so blessed to have her in our lives and she was so kind and loving.
She will truly be missed by all.
Larry and Ryan
Anne Jacobson says
Deb and Dave and the Drynan family, So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anne and Tom Jacobson