Anita Joyce (Prady) Phillips passed away peacefully and comfortably in her Port St. Lucie home on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, with her daughter, Joanne Engel, her son-in-law, Erik Engel, and their dog, Teddy.
Born on February 23rd, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to Sara and Jack Prady, Anita was the youngest of two daughters. She was very close with her older sister, Dolores. In addition to being stunningly beautiful with bright blue eyes, Anita was a math wizard and worked as a bookkeeper in an accounting firm.
On April 9th, 1957, Anita married Rudolph Phillips and they raised their four children in Southfield, Michigan. Anita was a wonderful mother to Joanne, Susan, Howard, and Alan, and notably opened her home to all friends and neighbors. Anita showed her love through food — despite her mother not letting her join her in the kitchen when she was younger, Anita taught herself how to cook, bake, and host. She took great pride in being a homemaker and had hundreds of recipes she created.
In 1983, Anita and Rudy moved to South Florida. There, she founded Celebrity Cheesecake with her daughter, Susan Bernstein. This is how she shared her passion for baking with not only Floridians but people nationwide who were diabetic – like her father – low-carb, low-sugar cheesecakes and truffles.
Rudy passed away on December 6th, 1998. Anita continued to cook, bake, and host, especially during the Jewish holidays. She cherished time with her family – seeing movies, having dinner, or enjoying ice cream. Anita loved solitaire, playing bingo, elephants, knitting and crocheting, and going to the beauty shop to make sure her hair and nails were always perfect.
Anita was a thoughtful listener with an incredibly good heart. She cared deeply about everyone in her life. No words accurately describe Anita’s elegance, grace, poise, and kindness.
Anita will be remembered and celebrated by her beautiful family of four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Anita is reunited with her husband, Rudy, sister, Dolores, and parents, Sara and Jack. May her memory be a blessing.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in Anita's honor: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=840664&fr_id=1060&pg=fund.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.menorahfuneralchapel.com for the Phillips family.
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