January 18, 2025, 82, Goldsboro —
Katherine Camille Phinizy, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on January 18, 2025. She was born on November 2, 1942, to Clarence and Esther Tobergta Hetman, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Thomas B. Phinizy, Jr., of over 50 years. She leaves behind three children, Kim, Brian (Crystal), Billy, and six grandchildren: Thomas and Tyler Phinizy, Camille and Hanna Olson, Benjamin and Grace Phinizy. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother William Hetman and sister Carole Farris; she is survived by her sister, Sharon Rose.
Katherine graduated from McNicholas High School, class of 1959, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received her Registered Nurse diploma from Mercy School of Nursing in Hamilton, Ohio, Class of 1962. She always noted that she was the youngest in her class. Having been employed for 36 years as a Registered Nurse in Ohio, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee, she retired from Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She had been actively involved with her nursing classmates since she graduated, attending their annual weeklong vacations, up until a few years ago. She leaves behind many nursing friends whom she cherished so much.
Katherine loved traveling, gardening, exercising, swimming, cross stitching, scrapbooking, watching Carolina Hurricanes hockey, and giving back to others. Her most cherished moments were those she spent with her dear husband Thomas, and family times with her children and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Francis Episcopal Church, where she had been actively involved for nearly 50 years. Mailing address: Saint Francis Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 11406, Goldsboro, NC, 27532. A private memorial service will be held at a later date, and she will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A very special thank you to our mom’s home caregivers and Gentiva Hospice caregivers for assisting our family to ensure her last years of life were lived with happiness and dignity.
Services entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.
