Cynthia Phillips Obituary

Former Durango resident Cynthia Kay (Beers) Phillips died of metastasized bone and lung cancer Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at her home in Plano, Texas. She was 63.

Known as "Cyndi," she was born to Robert Lucas and Irene Robb Beers on May 18, 1950, in Durango. Her parents were lifelong residents of Durango and Mancos.

One of two daughters, she grew up in Durango and graduated from Durango High School in the late 1960s. In her youth, she was an avid skier and excellent tennis player.

Growing up in Durango, she spent her summers at Electra Lake, where her parents owned a cabin, and she often referred to it as the largest playground in the world.

Mrs. Phillips spent her adult life in Dallas working in property management. During her career, she was involved in the development of numerous residential and commercial projects ranging from apartment complexes to hotels and sports bars in Texas, Louisiana, California, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia and Florida.

On Nov. 3, 1997, she married Jerry Phillips on the beach at the Sandals Resort in Negril, Jamaica.

"A loving, giving and faithful wife, best friend and partner in both good times and bad," according to her husband, "she was strong to the end fighting a grave illness."

She was a devoted daughter, her husband said, and spent several years attending her father, who lived to the ripe age of 96.

"She was honest, quick-witted, loving and generous to all," according to her family. "Humor was her mainstay, and she was never at a loss for words or a quick retort."

Although born in the mountains, she loved the sun and the beach, especially, Cancun, Mexico, where she and her husband owned property.

"Visiting there several weeks a year gave her the utmost contentment, which she enjoyed as recently as this past December," according to her family. "While there, her circle of friends grew, earning her the deserved reputation as the 'princess' of the pool area."

Her niece Andrea Helft and cousin Gwen Hawkins helped take care of her in her final days.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by her husband of 16 years, Jerry Phillips, of Plano; stepdaughters Diana Kupiec of San Diego and Caryn Dula of Frisco, Texas; seven grandchildren; and numerous extended family members in Mancos, Denver, Texas and California.

A memorial service will be held later this spring in Durango.

Visit www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com to leave online condolences.