Judy Jo Phillips

Judy Jo (Graff) Phillips--Judy Jo is a name known by so many in Murphysboro and Southern Illinois. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin, Mom, Grandma and friend. To know Judy Jo is to have loved Judy Jo; she never met a stranger and her friends became her family. Judy Jo attended elementary school in Gorham, IL and graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1966. Her working years began at the Murphysboro IGA, Graff Family Restaurant, Carbondale Memorial Hospital's Pink Geranium Gift Shop and then at SIUC Student Health Program. She began her SIUC career in 1975 when Muriel Narve hired her as the Medical Secretary to the Lab and X-ray Dept. She was a Medical Transcriptionist and Secretary to the Medical Chief of Staff and served in many roles with the Wellness Center, SIU Athletics and ultimately as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Student Health Program Director. She retired from SIU Student Health Services in December 2011 after 30 years of dedicated service to SIU, its students and as friend and surrogate Mom to so many. Judy Jo maintained her SIU ties through Administrative and Professional Organization lunches, monthly breakfasts and lunches with so many of her former co-workers, peers and ultimately dear friends. Judy Jo and David loved to go to SIU Football games with the Alumni Association and fans. Judy Jo loved to care and do for so many. She left a legacy as PTA parent, carnival coordinator and spook house creator extraordinaire at McElvain Elementary School during her children's elementary school years. She led a few Girl Scout Troops, taught many second graders First Communion CCD classes at St. Andrew Parish in Murphysboro, and was involved with MHS Athletic Banquets. Judy Jo always welcomed her kids' friends during their teenage years with home cooked sloppy joes, chocolate sheet cake and "morning after" breakfasts following a sleep over. She mentored many SIU student workers and was initiated as a Sigma Kappa sister in 1992 after serving as an Advisor to SIU's Gamma Kappa Chapter. Upon becoming a Grandma in 2001, Judy Jo fully dedicated herself to being the best Grandma Judy Jo a child could wish. This was a role she was truly destined to play. She was famous for her tea parties, Camp Grandma Judy Jo in the summer, swimming in her pool and playing "Marco Polo," baking cookies, manicures, pedicures, picnics at Turley Park & Castle Park, trips to the dollar store, homework tutor and generally indulging every whim of her 5 grandchildren. Grandma Judy Jo provided unconditional love and support to Katherine, Xavier, Amelia, Brady and Bryce. Her social circles included the same Bunco Group of ladies for more than 30 years. She belonged to the Jackson County Happy Homemakers until her recent health decline. With the Happy Homemakers she planned multiple successful Fall Harvest Breakfasts to raise scholarship funds for local high school students. The Jackson County Home and Community Education HEA recruited her in 2012. She loved meeting with the Board of ladies and coordinating educational programs. A great source of pride and joy was becoming involved with the Murphysboro Apple Festival and hosting the Queen's Scholarship Tea in September 2013. Judy Jo opened her home to the Apple Festival Queen Contestants, donors and committee. She relished in the joy of sharing her lovely home and playing hostess to her home town friends. The First Lutheran Church of Murphysboro was held close to her heart as she was an active member of the church and on the Church Counsel. Judy Jo continued the legacy that her parents, Raymond & Louise Graff, began so many years before. She enjoyed the simplest tasks of filling communion glasses to the making of decisions that improved the whole church family. Judy Jo was dedicated to her immediate and extended family, assuming the role of Matriarch. She loved planning and hosting monthly Graff Cousin lunches, Christmas gatherings, family reunions, birthdays and her favorite, 4th of July picnics. Invited or not, everyone was always welcomed with her fabulous smile and warmest hugs. Judy Jo married David Phillips in 2001 on Valentine's Day. They were friends and the best of companions to each other. She is survived by her husband, David; her daughter & son-in-law, Beth & David Tortorici of Lombard, IL; son, Jimmy Borgsmiller of Murphysboro; step-son & daughter-in-law, Jason & Stephanie Phillips. Her grandchildren include Katherine Louise and Amelia Lillian Tortorici of Lombard, IL; Xavier Fulton Borgsmiller of Murphysboro and Brady & Bryce Phillips of Carterville. Her surviving brothers and sister-in-law are Butch & Linda Graff of Huntingburg, IN, and Raymond Keith Graff of Dallas, Texas. Her nieces and nephews include Cheryl Graff of Winslow, IN; Becky (and Phil) Zehr of Huntingburg, IN; Zak Graff of Los Angeles, CA; and Logan (and Lindsey) Graff of Frisco, Texas; and grand-nephews & niece, Cole & Cate Graff and Adam Zehr. She leaves behind many beloved cousins and extended family. Judy Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Louise Graff. Services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro, with Rev. Ken Staib officiating. Burial will be in Mount Joy Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Tuesday, July 8, at Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro and 10 to 11 am Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Coach Kill Cancer Fund, First Lutheran Church of Murphysboro, Mount Joy Cemetery and Southern Illinois Hospice - Blue West Team. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Judy Jo Phillips

August 12, 1948 - July 4, 2014