HARTWICK – Ina Louise Foote Phillips, a respected,
well-known and long-time resident of Hartwick, peacefully entered into eternal
life Wednesday night, July 1, 2026, at her home on Main Street in Hartwick
surrounded by her family. She was 93.
Born August 7, 1932, at the family home in
Otego, Ina was the fourth daughter of Stuart A. and Ena (Dana) Foote. Raised in
Otego, she graduated from Otego Central School and then attended and graduated
from Albany Business College. While in Albany, she worked for Blue Cross. Upon returning to Otego she worked for
Scintilla in Sidney.
On October 4, 1952, Ina married Donald
Clinton Phillips and they made their home and raised their family in Hartwick.
For a brief time, Ina was employed at
Cook’s Auto & Supply Co. on Main Street and Burns Auto in Cooperstown. She
then went on to work as a legal secretary for 39 years at the law firm of Van Horne
& Feury in Cooperstown. She retired from Gozigian, Washburn & Clinton
in 1997 to enjoy many years of travel and family.
Ina was a former member of the First
Baptist Church of Hartwick where she was Deaconess for several years and where
she loved working at harvest dinners and pancake day. She was also a member of
the Otsego Legal Secretaries Club, the Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1
Auxiliary, the Hartwick Senior Luncheon Group for many years, and was currently
attending the Hartwick Christian Church.
Hartwick Cemetery was a very important
part of Ina’s life, and she served as a trustee and secretary/treasurer for
many years and superintendent for three years of the Hartwick Cemetery
Association, Inc. She truly enjoyed tending to the cemetery and getting to know
the various families she helped throughout the years.
Ina is survived by her daughter, Donna
Hotaling; grandson David S. Sellick and wife, Katie; great grandchildren, David
A. and McKenna L. Sellick; sisters Susena Hulbert and husband, Randy and Sara
Jane Yager & husband, Rick; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband
of 70 years, Don, who died September 15, 2023; daughter Marsha Jean Phillips
who died November 6, 2008; son-in-law Duane C. Hotaling, who died January 9,
2012; sisters Evelyn McLaughlin, Helen Dropp, Carolyn Manley, Phyllis Mattison,
and Coralie Mattice; her parents; and many cousins, friends, and nieces and
nephews.
The Phillips porch was the place to be if
one needed help, a good talk or just a great piece of pie. Porch now closed.
Family and friends may call and pay their
respects beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, July 12, 2026, at the Hartwick
Christian Church, 3083 County Highway 11, Hartwick. A funeral service will be
offered at 3 p.m. in the church with the Rev. James Crouthamel officiating.
Immediately following the service at church, everyone is welcome to re-gather
across the street at the Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1 fire hall for a
reception.
The service of committal and burial will
be private at a later date in Hartwick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Ina’s family would
appreciate donations in her memory be made to Hartwick Cemetery Association, PO
Box 177, Hartwick, NY 13348, and the
Hartwick Emergency Squad, PO Box 208, Hartwick, NY 13348.
Arrangements are under the care and
guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
