Nell Rose Brubaker Phipps' Obituary
Nell Rose Brubaker Phipps was born November 17, 1941, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 23, 2021, at her home in Provo, Utah. As a family we could not be happier for the joyous reunion she surely had with the love of her life, John Phipps, who passed away 15 months ago. Nell was born in Ironton, Ohio the youngest daughter of Rachel Louise Fisher and Fenton Alvin Brubaker of South Point, Ohio. Nell and John fell in love despite Nell’s insistence on putting ketchup on John’s French fries, which he absolutely hated. Nell’s adventurous spirit made her the perfect Navy wife and together John and Nell raised six children through the straits of deployment, far away from the home and family they both knew and adored.
Nell is preceded in death by her eternal companion, her parents, and two brothers (Charles and David). She is survived by her sister Ann Lemley of South Point, Ohio, and her six children: Matt (Mary), Karen Harris (Mark), Jim (Lori), Bruce (Lisa), Doug, and Erin Smelcer (Anthony). She is also survived by those she considered forever daughters, Amy Phipps, and Deb Eichelberger. Together John and Nell were the grandparents of 22 and the great-grandparents to 14 who were their whole world. Nell lived a life dedicated to serving others. She volunteered as a lifeguard many summers at Camp Tama, a boy scout camp in Japan. She taught swim lessons with the Red Cross and loved watching each of her children enjoy swimming as much as she did. Nell worked many years as a Certified Nursing assistant and Licensed Vocational Nurse and was especially proud that at the age of 52 became a Registered Nurse, a profession that allowed her to use her amazing people skills to make a difference in her patients’ lives. Nell loved her time as a charge nurse in the Ewing wing at John C. Fremont hospital in Mariposa and providing in-home hospice care to many in the Mariposa, Fresno, Madera, and San Diego areas as highlights in her career. In her retirement she also volunteered with Hinds Hospice in Merced, California. Nell also loved taking in strays, people and animals. Everyone who knew Nell knew that she would drop everything to help if she was needed. Her children were raised in a home where the slogan, “Give service at your earliest inconvenience” was prominently displayed. Nell was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and truly believed that as she served others, she was serving her Savior Jesus Christ. Her children, grandchildren, family, and friends will truly miss her spunky nature. Nell never considered herself a funny person, but her real talent was appreciating the sense of humor of others. She had no trouble laughing at herself when she had “senior moments” and the many times her lost glasses were found on top of her head. Nell also believed in education and taught her children a love for reading as she sat in the hallway outside their bedroom doors and read to all her children at once because there was not time to read to all six individually. Nell’s life will be celebrated by her family and all friends who wish to join at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 20, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5554 N. Winton Way, Atwater, Ca.
What’s your fondest memory of Nell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nell?
Share a story where Nell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nell you’ll never forget.
How did Nell make you smile?