Obituary of Cheryl Ann Phillips

Mrs. Cheryl Ann Phillips, 71, of Henry Street, Fort Plain, NY peacefully and beautifully passed away on August 5, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with dementia.

She was born in Amsterdam, NY on November 14, 1951, the daughter of Thomas Brown and Agnes Topley Brown, both who predeceased her.

She was a graduate of Amsterdam High School, Class of 1969, and was very proud of being a Marching Rams Majorette. After graduation she furthered her education at Plattsburgh State University obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy.  Following this she entered the nursing program at FMCC, where she became a RN. She concluded her education obtaining a master’s degree in Speech and Language from The College of St. Rose.

Mrs. Phillips had been a lifelong area resident. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and attended the Second Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam.

Mrs. Phillips had a true love for the Fort Plain community and an unwavering sense of Topper Pride.  She worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting and loving not only her own children but many other student athletes who became family.  She supported her husband while he more publicly helped an endless number of student athletes obtain otherwise unobtainable goals. 

Most recently she had worked as a Speech Therapist at the Fort Plain Central School, a position she held for over 25 years. Before that she had worked as a pediatric nurse at both St. Mary’s and the former Amsterdam Memorial hospital.

On August 5, 1978, at the Second Presbyterian Church of Amsterdam, she married Craig J. Phillips.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Craig J. Philips; Son Jeffrey and his wife Vanessa Phillips; daughter Sara and her husband Canaan McDuffee; 4 sisters Karen (Howie) Kapps, Linda (Anthony) Meola, Nancy (Dan) Unser, Elizabeth Shook; brother Kevin Brown; brothers in law Doug (Susan) Phillips and Gary (Barbara) Phillips, grandchildren Sara, Emma, Ashlee, Alexandria, Lainie, and Livia; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their tremendous gratitude for the team of family, friends, and caregivers who supported and loved the entire family throughout this battle with dementia.  Your loving compassion and care made it possible for Cheryl to remain at home where she very much wanted to be and allowed her to maintain the absolute highest quality of life. 

The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday August 23^rd from 4:00-8:00PM, at the Fort Plain Reformed Church, Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY, 13339. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday August 24^th, 2023, at 10:00AM, at the church. The burial will take place at Fort Plain Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gray-Houghtaling and Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339, and online condolences may be left for the family at wwww.houghtalingandsmith.com.

The family is asking that anyone wishing to donate in memory of Mrs. Phillips, that they consider The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208.