Judith Phillips Hanzel

Judith Phillips Hanzel, 85 of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024. 

Born on January 1, 1939, in Kokomo, IN, Judy was the daughter of the late Edward Wendell and Leah (McGuire) Phillips.

Judy was a graduate of Ball State University and worked her whole career at Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals. She was married to Richard D. Hanzel and lived most of her adult life in Indianapolis, Indiana. She resided for a time in Chicago, Illinois and had lived in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina for the past five years.

Those who knew Judy knew that her passions were travel and animals. She traveled often on cruise ships and spent three years traveling the world on her beloved Crystal Serenity cruise ship. She described those years as the happiest time of her life. She also had a deep and compassionate love of animals. She was a long-time supporter of the Indianapolis Zoo, with a particular love for the orangutan habitat. During her years in South Carolina, she was an avid supporter of Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.

Judith is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Hanzel, and her parents, Edward and Leah Phillips.

Judith is survived by one cousin, Mary Ruth Barnard of Indianapolis, IN, and special friend Nancy Burdick of Mount Pleasant, SC. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, July 22, 2024, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, 5604 New Road, Hollywood, SC. www.halliehill.com

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.  

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.