Phyllis Kay Rife

Phyllis Kay Rife, age 77, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Phyllis was born on July 22, 1947, in Glasgow, Kentucky to mother Pauline Shipley and Father Garnett Shipley. She spent most of her life in Denver, Colorado. 

Over the years she had many professions from owning a bar, to working at 7-11, and lastly working in insurance until she retired. Phyllis will be best remembered for her willingness to love those around her and for the impact that she had on the lives of those around her. Phyllis passed due to cardiac arrest. 

She was a mother, grandmother, and aunt. She is preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Shipley, father, Garnett Shipley, and grandson, Rogelio Contreras III, and several friends. During her marriage with Nick Sandoval they had their three daughters, Kimberlee Sandoval (Tim Maestas), Melissa Sandoval (Juan Rosendo Vela), and Melanie Sandoval Lohman (William ‘Bill’ Lohman) who she is survived by. She is also survived by, her brother, Mike Shipley, her niece, Taylor Shipley her grandkids, Diego Huizar, Veronica Huizar, Jalisa Contreras, Elijah Flores Sandoval and Anahi Muniz Sandoval, and great grandkids, Annalise Handley, Adrian Johnson, Elicia Garcia, and Anaya Rose Harbour, Elias Contreras and Israel Contreras. 

Phyllis’s celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 3:00 pm at the Moose Lodge #21 located at 4688 W. Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80219. She will be laid to rest alongside her mother at Littleton Cemetery in a private ceremony for immediate family.