Dorene Kay Shipp-Phillips

Dorene 'Kay' Phillips, left this world to be joined and welcomed by those who had preceded her in death in the early-morning hours on March 18, 2025 at her home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She was 81.

Kay was born on April 16, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is preceded in death by parents; Francis and La Veryl Smith-Nuzman, and sibling(s); Ronald, Richard “Dick”, Donna, Frankie, Mary-Jo. Her sole-surviving sibling is James 'Jimmy' Nuzman.

Kay was widowed by Lloyd Shipp (deceased). In 1966 Kay married George T. 'Judd' Phillips in Elko, Nevada. Together the couple moved across the country, and after arriving in New Mexico for his final assignment as air-traffic controller supervisor in 2003 they remained in Albuquerque. Judd passed away in 2012.

Kay was blessed with her four beautiful, loving and talented daughters; Tamara, Teena, Tonya and Tracy. She has 8 adult grand-children (and spouses) along with 9 wonderful and ‘spoiled-rotten’ great-grandchildren whom she “loved to pieces”. She was affectionately known to them as “GG”.

She’ll be very much missed by her loved-ones, friends, and neighbors who were blessed to have known Kay. She was a funny, spirited friend, keen bridge player, devoted wife, beloved mother, and proud “doting” grandmother.

Thanks to those family-members and hospice-care nurses who were with Kay at the final stages of her life. May God Bless.

The family will have a private memorial service and Celebration of Life at a later date and location.