Patricia Ann Phillips

Born February 20, 1927 in Omaha, NE, Patricia lived her early life in Lincoln, NE with parents Paul and Ruth, and siblings Charles and Richard. She graduated the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1949. At the university she became a sister in Alpha Chi Omega, an association she embraced throughout her life right up until her death. She was also a lifetime Cornhusker fan. Pat became a second grade teacher after college.

Pat met the love of her life, Frederick Sherwood Phillips in 1949 in Estes Park, CO where they both were working for the summer, and they were married in October 1950. Following the birth of their first child, Pat became a homemaker, eventually raising five children. When Fred was commissioned in the USAF, she also took on a new role, as the wife of a military officer, a career that she relished, in spite of many moves and challenges. She often said how much she loved being a military wife and traveling to different places, especially to Europe where they were stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Patricia’s motto was always “Keep a smile on your face and a good attitude,” and this served her well in the challenges of moving a large family every few years for the Air Force. When they retired from the military in 1978, Fred entered the private sector, which included moves to Michigan and Virginia, and in 1992, they finally retired to Monument, where Pat was active with Tri Lakes Women’s Club, Tri Lakes Cares, and Alpha Chi Omega, as well as enjoying her neighborhood. Throughout the coming years Pat and Fred often traveled to visit children and grandchildren across the country, as well as making an annual “snowbird” trek to Alamogordo, NM, where they played golf and collected Southwestern art and décor for their Colorado home. One of their favorite pastimes in Colorado was rooting for the USAFA Falcons football team as “Blue and Silver” supporters. They also were members of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs for over 20 years, where Pat especially loved the beautiful music. Following Fred’s death in 2011, Pat continued to be a bright spot in the lives of many, becoming active as a Kiwanis “Diva,” which included being a bell-ringer at Christmas, working at the Empty Bowl Dinner, and the annual peach sales.

The most important things to Pat were her husband and family, and she loved nothing more than to have a houseful for holidays and other special occasions. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors, old and new. Everyone she met was a source of fun social connection, a chance to chat and share and laugh. Pat often expressed what a wonderful life she had!

She is survived by her five children, Kristy (Roger) McNeil, Sarah (Sam) Hazlett, Frederick (Martha) Phillips, Jr., Ann (Roderick) Keller, and Paul Phillips; eight grandchildren, Ben McNeil, Scott (Sarah) Hazlett, Beth (Marvin)Kozak, Kristen Hazlett, Gillian (Jeremy Egenberger)Keller, Frederick Phillips III, Richard Phillips, and Wesley Phillips; two great grandchildren, Eleanor and August Hazlett; and her sisters in law, Suzanne(Herb)Hirsch, Marti (James) Whitmore, Norene (Charles) Graham, and Sandra(Richard) Graham, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A service of remembrance and celebration of Patricia’s life will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, 420 N. Nevada Ave. The family prefers donations to Tri Lakes Cares in lieu of flowers.