Susan J. Mcphillips

Susan (Ryerson) McPhillips, 78, of Warwick passed away peacefully at West Shore Health Center on January 11, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Charles McPhillips.  Born in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Loretta (Rooney) Ryerson.  Susan leaves two sons, Joseph McPhillips and Jonathan (Jane) McPhillips as well as two granddaughters, Bridget and Mary McPhillips.

Susan was a loving and devoted daughter to her mother, Loretta, and sister to her late brother, Michael Ryerson.  She was predeceased by her first husband, Joe Tavares in 1967, with whom she had her first son, Joseph.  She met her husband Charlie when Joseph was four and they married in 1969.  Their son Jonathan was born in 1971.

Susan was an active member of the Fall River Community in her youth and was a star on the Durfee High School Basketball Team.

Susan loved to create, particularly hand painted ceramics, and she displayed that love at craft festivals throughout Southern New England.  She also enjoyed her time working at the Atwood, East Bay, and West Bay Tennis Clubs, where she could play the sport she grew to love.  She was a vital member of the Decorating Department at AC Moore in Warwick, where she took her love of crafting to a new level.  She was a very artistic person and passed that on to her son, Jonathan and her granddaughters as well.

Susan loved playing card games and Bingo, and even through her journey with dementia, she enjoyed playing cards with Jon and the girls.  Susan was known for her extravagant Christmas decorations and her famous ‘tea parties’.  She loved Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent many glorious summers as a child with her beloved cousins and extended family.

Susan had a wonderful group of friends and cousins that meant the world to her.  Her dear friends from both Warwick and Fall River, including lifelong friend Lucille (Pumpkin) Dupere, were there for her through all of life’s ups and downs.  Her cousins Janie Lancaster and Bobby Dumais were very special to her, as were her predeceased cousins Simone McCarthy and Peggy Morton.

Susan absolutely adored her two granddaughters, Bridget (16) and Mary (13).  She was incredibly devoted to them and was there for every Irish dance performance, sporting event and any babysitting opportunity she could get her hands on!  She had a close and loving relationship with her daughter-in-law, Janie who thought of her as a second Mom.

Susan leaves behind a legacy of light and love.  She was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank the staff of West Shore Health Center and Hope Hospice for their compassion and kindness.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a funeral service to be held at 6pm on Friday, January 20 at Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main Street, East Greenwich.  Visitation will be prior to the service from 4-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care.