Phyllis A. Anderson, 95, of Rockford, passed away May 30, 2026. Born in Rockford, IL to Raphael and Viola (Gibbs) Ryan on December 19, 1930. Phyllis was a 1949 graduate of West High School. She married Melvin “Mel” H. Anderson on September 30, 1950, at St. Mary Catholic Church. They were married 36 years until his passing on February 22, 1987. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church for 50 years, and most recently a member of St. James Catholic Church.

She spent 26 years working for Swedish American Hospital, first as a unit clerk and later a birth registrar; a title she was very proud of, until her retirement in 2000. She continued to volunteer at the hospital afterwards. She was also a member of the Silver Shamrocks, Blackhawk Trails Club, and the swim club at Millenium Center; where she made many friends that she stayed in touch with throughout the years. She greatly enjoyed the time spent with her and Mel’s extended family and friends, as well as her community at Heritage Woods of Rockford.

She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her children, Marty Anderson of Bend, OR, Tom (Susie) Anderson of Welches, OR, Jim (Anne) Anderson of Chico, CA, Jan Anderson of Machesney Park, IL, Karen (Craig) Schanstra of Rockford, IL, Barb (Arnie) Koerner of Roscoe, IL, William (Denise) Anderson of Battle Ground, WA; grandchildren, Chris, Zoe, Marty, Eric, Paul, Nick, Katie, Brian, Molly; 13 great-grandchildren; and sister, Pat Meyer. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Mel; sister, Kitty O’Connor; brothers, Jack Ryan, William Ryan, and George Ryan.

A visitation for Phyllis will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 5:00 through 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61108. A Memorial Mass will take place on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation held an hour prior beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 428 N. 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107. Inurnment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations are welcome to be made to St. James Catholic Church.

A special thank you to the staff at Northern Illinois Hospice, who cared for Phyllis during her last days.