Ruth Galbraith Phillips

SMITHFIELD - Ruth G. Phillips, 78, passed away at the Logan Nursing Home on January 10, 2006. She was born on September 17, 1927 in Richmond Utah, eldest child of Wallace P. Galbraith and Lavine Johnson Galbraith. She grew up in Richmond and went to Richmond Grade School, Lewiston Junior High, and graduated from North Cache High School as valedictorian in 1945. Ruth was also the valedictorian of the LDS seminary. She went to work for the Dean of Engineering at Utah State University as a secretary. She then married Gilbert L. Phillips, her eternal companion, in the Logan LDS Temple for time and all eternity. Together they raised nine children: Ruth Ann Ron Munns, Michael G. Annabel, Dixie D. Mandler, Tracy W. Linda, Michelle Bob Brown, Jaynee Randy Nielsen, Troy S. Phillips, Melody Rory Lutz, and Christopher Alisa Phillips. They have 30 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, with two more grandchildren due soon. Her passion for life also included many cats, dogs, and horses. Ruth had three major passions, her father in heaven, her eternal companion, and her children. She also had a great love for music. She began playing the piano in church when she was in sixth grade. She was music director in sacrament meeting in all of the wards where she lived. She had choirs in each ward where she was a member and always put on wonderful Christmas programs. She was in drama, sang in quartets, was involved in road shows, and she taught piano lessons and many of her students still participate in music today. At one time she traveled throughout the valley teaching piano. Her piano lessons were given out of love for her students and music. She was a music director in the Smithfield stake relief society, she taught primary, Sunday school, and she was a Cub Scout leader. She had a great love for her last Sunday school class, one of her last church assignments, she was very proud of them all. Most of all she was a friend to everyone; she loved people. Early in her marriage, she moved with her husband to the mission field in South Dakota, and served with him as a part-time district missionary. Her eldest son Michael was born while they lived in South Dakota. They returned to Smithfield and they have lived there since, except when she went with her husband on a full-time mission to the Texas Houston Mission. Her love for people and her music, helped to bring many people into the Church, making her mission a huge success. She was preceded in by her parents; a brother, Ted Wallace Galbraith; a sister, Donna Mae Fonnesbeck; and a great granddaughter, Kylie Ruedas. Funeral services will be held at 12 pm on Monday the 16th of January at the Smithfield North Stake Center, 155 West 4th North. Viewings will be from 10:00-11:30 am at the church before the funeral services on Monday and 6:00-8:00 pm on Sunday evening, January 15th, at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main in Smithfield. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .
Her family would like to thank the nursing staff at Logan Regional Hospital and at the Logan Nursing Home, Dr. Scott Cunningham, and neighbors for their care and kindness.