Rita E (Sullivan) Phillips

Rita Elizabeth (Sullivan) Phillips, 94, formerly of Plainfield, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, DE. She was born in the Arbor section of Piscataway, to the late James and Martha Sullivan.

Rita married Walter J Phillips in 1943 at St. John’s RC Church in Dunellen and they lived in Plainfield until his death in 1982. She then spent time with each of her daughters in NJ, FL and DE. She worked as a meat wrapper for Grand Union Supermarkets for over 25 years, mainly in the South Plainfield store. She was a member of Local 464-A of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Rita was a member of the South Plainfield Elks and was a Girl Scout Leader when her daughters attended St. Mary’s School in Plainfield. She enjoyed playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Walter and by her son Joseph, who died at birth; her grandson John R Reynolds; her sons-in-law, Anthony Sena and Ralph Sena; and by her 12 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her loving daughters, Barbara Sena of Harrington, DE, Lorraine Reynolds and husband John of Greenwood, DE, and Trudy Sena of Venice, FL. She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren, Tracy Schlack, Ralph Sena and wife Mia, Todd Sena and wife MariJo, and granddaughter-in-law Laura Reynolds. Rita is also survived by her 10 great grandchildren: Ian and Bradley Reynolds, Nicole Schlack and Cory Schlack and his fiancée Angeline Morrison, Francesca Sena, and Noah, Leslee, Niles, Joseph and Casey Sena, as well as by her great-great grandchildren, Noah and Summer Schlack. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 28 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave in Dunellen. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 10:00am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rita’s name to the Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford DE, 19963-1840.

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