Margaret Ann O’Neil Phillips

Margaret Ann O’Neil Phillips was born Sept. 29,1938 in Imperial, Nebraska and passed from this earth Nov. 12, 2022, at the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center Wauneta. She was 84 years old.
Marge was the second daughter of Bernard and Dorothy (Roth) O’Neil.
Marge started her education in a country school on the north divide, she finished eighth grade at Wauneta Public School and graduated high school from St. Patrick’s Academy boarding school in Sydney in 1956. She attended business school and worked as an administrative assistant in Denver, Colorado. Marge chose to go back to school, ultimately earning her degree in elementary education from Metropolitan State College in Denver. Marge had a love of learning and spent most of her life taking classes. She chose classes based off what interested her, not to further her degree even spending a semester at sea when she was in her seventies.
Marge spent most of her adult life in Colorado, she worked as an administrative assistant for Samsonite and Dixon Paper Corporations before earning her teaching degree. She taught elementary education for many years at various small Catholic schools. She had a passion for underprivileged students.
Marge had little interest in acquiring “things” but had an enthusiasm for experiences. She loved to travel and was always saving for and planning her next adventure. Marge loved to quilt and made dozens of quilts over the years, most she gave away as gifts or donated to charity. Her greatest joy was her family. She did not have children of her own but loved spending time with her sisters, nieces, nephews and their children. She was loved dearly by her family and will be very missed.
Marge was proceeded in death by her parents Bernard and Dorothy (Roth) O’Neil; one sister Janice Cribelli; brother-in-law Bud Kobel; and nephew Brien Long.
She is survived by her sisters Kay Long (Ralph) of Denver, Colorado and Carol Kobel of Longmont, Colorado; brother-in law Tony Cribelli of Wauneta; nieces and nephews Pat Long of Boulder, Colorado, Shannon Long (Trina) of Boulder, Colorado, Mary Birnie (Neil) of Surrey, England, Tim Long of Ft Lauderdale, Florida, Laurie Maris (Jeff) of Wauneta and Adam Cribelli (Lori) of Cambridge; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. (MT) at St. John Catholic Church of Wauneta, with Father Gary Brethour celebrant. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
A Rosary was recited Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2022, 7 p.m. (MT) at St. John Catholic Church, Wauneta.
Memorials, in Margaret’s memory, have been suggested to the Maris family for a future designation.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta is entrusted with arrangements.