Caroline Delph
Age - 75
December 8, 2023
On November 27, 2023, Caroline Anne (Phipps) Delph passed away peacefully at the age of 75 in her home in Dewey, Arizona. Caroline loved animals. She always had a cherished pet at every stage of her life, whether it be dogs, cats, cockatoos, parrots, horses, or a goldfish, she always found joy in God's creations. She would also enjoy her gardens where she would grow fruits and vegetables alongside some of her favorite flowers. She would often enjoy just sitting and looking at her flowers. She thoroughly enjoyed shopping, especially for jewelry and clothing of all types, and would sometimes allow some of her granddaughters to play "dress up" with her jewelry and other accessories. Caroline was born in Saint Thomas, Ontario to Edmond "Eddie" and Ethel (Slade) Phipps. She spent her early years playing with her brother Dennis and other aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived nearby. Later in her childhood, her family moved to Miami, Florida where she attended and graduated from Miami Southwest High School and later married Frank Whittaker and gave birth to Michael and Robert. As some relationships often do, they drifted apart and later divorced. While working as a secretary in a dental office that was across from an engineering firm in Miami, Caroline met Ralph Delph and dated for 5 years, going on hikes, hunting, fishing, and generally exploring the country before finally marrying in 1977. She joined her young family with Ralph's five daughters Mary "Wendy", Dawn, Natalie "Joy", Virginia "Ginger", and Chris Ann. Caroline later gave birth to sons William "Billy" and Timothy. They lived in a modest home in the lower Florida Keys as Ralph transitioned careers from engineering to becoming a renowned fishing guide. Finances were tight and Caroline was known for baking fresh homemade bread to sell to Ralph's customers and others to help provide some supplemental income. Caroline was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and would regularly attend Sunday services and meetings throughout her life. Caroline loved the Savior Jesus Christ and would often share her faith in Him with those with whom she would spend her time. Ralph's guiding business took them to Montana where they built a log home in Gallatin Gateway in the mid-80s to live during the fall and early winter to enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and skiing before returning to the Florida Keys for the remainder of winter through early summer. During the late 80s and through the 90s, they would travel with their family to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to fish for Giant Bluefin Tuna to sell on the Japanese market. At the end of summer, Caroline would look forward to visiting her family for a couple of weeks near Port Rowan, Ontario on her way back to Montana. Ralph and Caroline continued this pattern continually until their children had all graduated school and left home. Ralph adopted Michael and Robert. Ralph and Caroline were later sealed to each other for time and eternity in the Orlando, Florida Temple. Ralph and Caroline would travel between their homes at their own pace before eventually selling their home in the Florida Keys. Caroline would often spend time in Canada visiting her parents and other family that lived in Canada until her mother Ethel passed away on June 9, 2010, and her father Edmond "Eddie" passed away on April 28, 2014. A few years later, her companion of 44 years and husband of 39 years passed away from cancer on February 13, 2016. She would also lose a Daughter-In-Law, Piper (Richard) Delph, on April 14, 2018, and a Sister-In-Law, Betty Jean (Delph) Wilson, on July 16, 2018. Caroline returned to Canada for a little while to take some time away before moving to the desert in Dewey, Arizona, and marrying Sam Rucker for the last 5 years of her life. Caroline is survived by her Brother, Dennis Phipps of Hendersonville, NC; Sons, Mike Delph (Edee) of Key West, FL, Rob Delph (Lynda) of Key West, FL, Billy Delph of Sugarloaf Key, FL, Tim Delph (Brooke) of Belgrade, MT; her Step-Daughters, Wendy Roberts (Lane) of Idaho Falls, ID, Dawn Gonzalez (Julio) of Sandy, UT, Joy Sanfilippo (Robert) of Danielsville, GA, Ginger Cardona (Juan) of Davie, FL, Chris Simms (Doug) of Boise, ID and her last husband, Sam Rucker of Dewey, AZ. She had 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and was expecting 2 more great-grandchildren on the way. Services will be held at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service at 113 South Willson Avenue, Bozeman, MT on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 1:30 PM followed by her burial service at 3:00 PM at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT.Show more
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