Lana Loya Phillips
1983-2019
On Friday, July 12, 2019, Lana Loya Phillips, 36, of Cumberland, Md., was surrounded by her loving family, as she moved on to be with her loved ones and her God in Heaven.
Born June 11, 1983, in Windber, Pa., Lana was the youngest of five children. She was blessed to have a loving childhood provided by her parents, Jack and Mary Loya, Schellsburg, Pa. Lana had a very special bond with her parents and was grateful for their love, support, guidance and sacrifices that they made to make her happy. Her mother was truly her best friend.
Lana went on to graduate in 2002 from Bishop McCort High School, Johnstown, Pa. She attended Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa., where she played college soccer and met many of her forever friends. Lana graduated in 2006 with a dual major in Elementary Education and Math Sciences. In 2017, Lana furthered her education by achieving her Masters in Elementary Mathematics Education from Western Governor’s University.
After college, Lana moved to Cumberland, Md., to begin teaching fifth grade at Paw Paw Elementary School, Paw Paw, W.Va. She spent the next 13 years falling in love with her students, her career and her community. Teaching and coaching brought Lana great joy. She dedicated herself to her students and tried to be the best loving and supportive teacher.
In 2011, Lana met the love-of-her-life, William “Bill” Phillips. They were married on June 21, 2014. Bill was everything to Lana and she fiercely loved him with all of her heart and soul. Although most of their marriage was spent managing her illness, Lana and Bill still put each other first. They made the best of their time together traveling, cooking and watching their favorite shows.
Lana adored their two cats, Merlin and Ruby and together, they spoiled their fur babies.
Lana loved spending time with her family including her sister: Lora Puffenberger and husband, Matthew, Cumberland, Md.; her brothers: Lane Loya and wife, Amy, Hollidaysburg, Pa.; Lance Loya and wife, Rachel, Orlando, Fla.; Landon Loya and wife, Kala, Salisbury, Pa.; and Felipe Rimmer and wife, Wanda, Tyrone, Pa. She also leaves behind her in-laws: Chuck and Pat Phillips, Cumberland, Md.; her sister-in-law: Sarah Harvey and husband, Jason, Cumberland, Md.; and most especially, her aunt: Thelma Jean Hinzman, Fairmont, W.Va. Her nieces and nephews meant the world to her and Lana loved them very much: Ivy, Violet, Laken, Lakota and Samantha; as well as her beloved nephews: Braden, Brent, Gerrit, Ryan, Alex and Brandon. They were a joy to her and she was extra excited for baby Loya to join her family. Other cherished loved ones include her close friends: Julie Leskneski, Johnstown, Pa.; Lori Sandak Priaux, Roanoke, Va.; Jennifer Clark, Lewistown, Pa.; Kristina Jean, Orlando, Fla.; Lindsey Adams, Oldtown, Md. and Lisa Zembower, Cumberland, Md.
Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, Md., (www.AdamsFamilyFuneralHome.com) on Friday, July 19, 2019, from 5 to 8 p.m. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 215 East Penn Street, Bedford, Pa. on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at 11 a.m. with Father Richard Tomkosky as Celebrant.
Lana would like to thank her loving coworkers at Paw Paw Elementary who turned into family.
Her family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Mon Gen Cancer Center for their loving care.
Finally, Lana lived her life as positive as can be. She found joy in the falling snowflakes and never met a cat she didn’t want to drag home. Their hope is that for all who she came in contact with to remember to find their own joys in life.
Donations can be made in the form of school supplies to be given to Paw Paw Schools, and if you must send flowers, make sure you pick up some wildflowers.
paid obituary
