Obituary of Gloria A. Phillips

Gloria A. Phillips, nee Nicolo, age 87, of Margate, NJ,  formerly of Atlantic City and Deptford, NJ, passed away on June 5, 2019, at the hospice unit of the United Methodist Communities in Pitman, NJ.  Preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas T. Phillips, and son, Mark J. Phillips, she was the loving mother of Jeanine Lisssauer (David), Denise Bach (Peter), and Nicholas Phillips (Debbie).  In addition to her three children and their spouses, Gloria is survived by her five grandchildren, Robert, Madeline, Nicholas, Mark, Jr., and Gianna, and Mark’s spouse, Denise.  And last but not least, her grand-dog, Lizzie, who never left Gloria’s lap whenever she would visit.

Gloria attended St. Mary’s High School for Girls in Lynn, Massachusetts, graduating in 1949.  Thereafter, she embarked on her dancing career, traveling with her chorus line throughout the country, opening for names like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  It was at one of these stops, the Latin Casino in Philadelphia, PA, where she met her future husband, Nick.

Gloria opened a dancing school in her home in Woodbury Gardens in 1961.  When that labor of love ended, she worked at Tyco, Inc., in Mantua, NJ and then at CBS Records, in Pitman, NJ.

For entertainment, Nick and Gloria enjoyed horseracing just about every weekend.  When Nick passed away in 2000, Gloria moved to Atlantic City and worked as a slot attendant at various casinos.  She loved the slot machines and the excitement of the casinos.  It brought her back to her dancing days. 

In her later years, she worked at the front desk of her residence, The Plaza Condominium, in Atlantic City.  Gloria loved to work and she loved people.  She looked and acted much younger than her years.  Besides playing the slots, Gloria loved bingo and would play whenever she had the opportunity, keeping track of many cards at once.  She was also a Scrabble aficionado.

We will always remember her beautiful smile, kind heart and her Boston accent.

Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to Fellowship Alliance Chapel.  In the memo section, please designate Helping Hand Grief Support- Gloria Phillips.  The mailing address in Fellowship Alliance Chapel, 199 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055.

Services will be private through McGuinness Funeral Home.