Barbara Jean DuBois McPhillips aged 94 years old passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long illness in her home with family on February 12, 2023. She has been blessed with a long and happy life.
She was born on November 10, 1928 in St. Lukes Hospital, Newburgh. She is the daughter of Simon and Laura DuBois and lived in Modena,until her marriage to Robert McPhillips on October 15, 1950 at the Modena Methodist Church.
In 1946 she graduated from Wallkill Central School as Salutatorian of her class. Following graduation she worked at the Wallkill School as secretary for Principal Robert Robinson.
With the birth of her children she became a happy stay at home mother as well as a caregiver to her family members. To her delight, she had the opportunity to care for all of her grandchildren.
Not only did she share great times with her family, she found time to give back to her community: she was a 70 year member of the Coldenham Fire Company Auxiliary and past Captain, The Coldenham Garden Club, United Commercial Travelers, The American Legion #521 Auxiliary, New Horizons Seniors and Montgomery Red Hat Group. She was also a member of the Montgomery Presbyterian Church and guild.
The family spent many a happy summer camping and boating on Lake George. Then they bought a cabin on Pleasure Lake where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. As she would say “This was her little piece of heaven.”
Her love for travel brought her to all 50 states enjoying the National Parks. Later she enjoyed traveling to the Passion play in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hawaii and Alaska. As her husband Bob would say, “The roads were wide enough but never long enough for her.”
Her love for nature was apparent in all her outside activities but she is famous for all her tasty cookies she shared freely.
She is survived by her brother Robert G. DuBois and wife Jane of Clifton Park, NY; her children: daughter Susan Reichardt and husband Albert of Montgomery, son Robert A. McPhillips and wife Robin of Montgomery; her grandchildren: Dr. Lauren McPhillips and husband Matthew Herndon of St. College, PA, Ian McPhillips and wife Kristen of Dix Hills, L.I. and Julie McPhillips and partner Jeff Hansen of Plattekill, NY; great grandchildren Kylie and Kacie McPhillips, Rolin and Fern McHerndon; nieces Doreen, Maureen, Joanne, Debbie and Becky.
She was predeceased by her parents Simon and Laura DuBois, husband Robert and grandson Kurt.
We would like to thank Dr. Sandeep Singh, Dr. Robert Dinsmore, Dr. David Kang, Dr. Larry Koreen and Hospice for providing wonderful care to our mother.
Memorial donations may be made to the Coldenham Fire Company, Hospice or Montgomery Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.