Mazel Toy!

JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR
Special to the Jewish News

I

rene and Yale Phillips of
Farmington Hills have not been
strangers to hospitals over the
past 12 months. Still, they say,
it has been one of the best years of
their lives.
"I knew from the night I met her
that I loved her," Yale said. "So
everything we went through this year
doesn't matter. I still think I am the
luckiest man."
The year began with difficulty
last spring when Yale elected to go
through hip replacement surgery.
His medical history included a heart
bypass operation 23 years ago and
another hip replacement 10 years
ago. Last spring's surgery went well
and the family was able to gather
for a modest party
to celebrate the
couple's 50th wed-
ding anniversary
last June 12.
"The family had
a beautiful dinner
out and celebrated,
but did not really
get to whoop it up because of this
surgery," said daughter Toni Foley.
"We children wanted to acknowledge
the occasion with something special,
like a party." But, as their kids made
plans for a big blowout, Irene had a
blowout of her own: A brain
aneurysm was discovered during an
MRI scan to find the source of recent
migraines. She rallied through the
High Holidays, creating feasts and
family gatherings, before marching
into the hospital for brain surgery in
late September. The surgery went
well, but Irene fell while in the hospi-
tal and broke her hip, requiring a
longer stay and more rehabilitation.
The Phillipses_have been lifelong
Detroit residents and involved in
charitable work with B'nai B'rith and
Northwest Child Rescue. But they
hate the snow, and their winter plans
added another complication as they
headed to Florida after Irene finished

rehabilitation in December.
The migration put the family's cel-
ebratory plans on hold until February.
Irene's 70th birthday was marked on
the proper day in January with many
of the couple's Florida friends, but
without family members.
"We made all sorts of plans,"
Foley said. "However, God had
other plans."
The day before the snowbirds were
planning to return to Michigan for a
Feb. 10 party in their honor, Yale
once again required medical atten-
tion. After suffering chest pains, he
was admitted to the Delray Beach
Medical Center and underwent open-
heart surgery.
Fortunately, the pair returned in
April to•celebrate.Irene's birthday and
their anniversary at a party thrown by
their children — Helene Phillips and
Paul Zerkel, Michael
and Madelyn
Phillips, and Toni
and Tim Foley —
and seven grandchil-
dren. More than 80
friends and relatives
gathered at the
Orchard Place
Condominiums' community center in
Farmington Hills on April 15, and
were treated to a catered dinner and
homemade desserts.
"It was such a totally delightful
evening," Yale said. "We have such a
wonderful family." Since then, how-
ever, Yale returned to the hospital
for knee replacement surgery, and
he will have his othei hip replaced
this summer.
Foley, like her father, still sees
more of the positive in the year than
the negative.
"You may ask yourself, 'How could
we possibly say our family is blessed
with mazel (luck)?' That's easy," said
Foley. "Our parents have lived
through all of these things, including
the associated pain and rehabilitation,
and care for each other and are
healthy. They've come back home to
Michigan to their family, who could-
n't love them more."

.

Yale and Irene Phillips'
wedding day-... and
51 happy years later.

The Phillipses have had their share
of trials this year, and celebrations.

❑

5/19

2000

59

