Judith (Judy) Moritz Phillips, age 75 of Seguin, passed away on March 16, 2009. Private services will be held at a later date. Judy was born on February 16, 1934 in Shorewood, Wisconsin to Jack A. Lippert and Ruth Kalle. Judy moved to Texas at the age of 15 where she graduated from San Angelo High School in 1952. She received a B.S. from TCU in education and a M.S. from Baylor University in education. She dedicated her life to teaching special needs children and loved every minute of it. In 1959 she won the Texas State "Betty Crocker" cooking contest at the Texas State Fair. She visited the Vatican in Rome and had her Rosary blessed by the Pope and she traveled on the Queen Mary as a young woman. Survivors include her daughters, Jen Williams, a veterinarian in Houston,Tx., and husband, Darren and Joan Paolino, a construction manager in Providence, RI and husband, Dan; son, John Heffernan,Jr., an electrician in Groesbeck,Tx.; life companion and husband whom she had a long and happy relationship,Donald W. Phillips; Seven beautiful grandchildren who adored her and who she loved deeply. After a very successful teaching career Judy loved taking cruises and traveled throughout the Western and Eastern Caribbean. She had many adventures including swimming with dolphins,riding horses in the ocean,and shopping at every place she visited. Her love for dogs was evident as she raised show quality cocker spaniels, Maltese and a cherished Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She loved jewelry and had an extensive collection. After attending her 50 year High School reuinion in 2002, Judy reunited with many high school friends and stayed in touch with them to the end, becoming the email junky of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 13431 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78216.

The followin is a poem written by Judy about her teaching career.

So What?


Twenty-nine years and now I go
Retirement Raven - you all know.

Half my life I've been employed
To teach kids, and not get annoyed.

To be their Mentor, Mom and friend
And stick with them to the very end.

Some were sweet with a gentle soul
Others tough - striving for a goal.

A few were diligently trying to learn
But many more just missed the turn.

I tugged and pulled - my strength to give
Another child the will to live.

I always knew in my heart
That they wanted to be smart.

I gave them goals, I mentioned dreams
I told them life's better than it seems.

Then came the day they all would leave
I had to decide if I should grieve.

Remember John and the other two
Who died before their dreams came true?

And Ann and Millie - what a pair
They only sat and fixed their hair.

Now don't forget little Antoinette
Who always had supplies to get.

And Mande who was always sleeping
Just like Fred who was always eating.

Was it all a joke, and
I'm the one at whom they poke?

I think not, because you see,
Maria hugged me, and now I'm free.

So what, you ask, did I really do?
I spent my life loving you.