We are saddened to note the passing of our friend and former P2P Board Member and Director Emeritus, Patricia C. “Pat” Phillips. Pat passed away on December 8, 2020, surrounded by her family.
Pat transformed lives—both for people she knew personally as a friend, and the thousands of people she advocated for. She was a committed philanthropist and strong advocate for low-income families, with compassion and a genuine determination to help struggling individuals and families rise out of poverty toward self-sufficiency.
Soon after moving to Stamford, CT in 1974, Pat created Stamford’s Task Force on Domestic Violence; and later founded and served on the board of Domestic Violence Services (DVCC). As a member of the Junior League of Stamford/Norwalk, her public service commitment to support the people of Fairfield County began. Pat co-founded Pacific House Shelter for the Homeless, which began as a makeshift housing space in the basement of the First Congregational Church in Stamford. In July of 1985, a Board of Directors was formed and Shelter for the Homeless became an independent nonprofit service agency. In 2013, the Homeless Shelter of Stamford dedicated one of its homes The Patricia C. Phillips House in recognition of her unwavering leadership in support of this mission.
She continued her philanthropy work throughout the 90s, adding Person-to-Person (P2P) to her favored organizations. In 2005 she joined P2P’s Advisory Council and was invited to become a Board Member in 2006. In 2008, she served on the agency’s Capital Campaign Committee which successfully met its fundraising goals at the height of the recession. Over the years, Pat has hosted numerous friend-raisers to advance the P2P mission and expand awareness of the agency’s programs and services. In October 2017, Pat was honored with P2P’s inaugural Transforming Lives Award. On October 26, 2017, the City of Stamford proclaimed it to be PAT C. PHILLIPS DAY, on behalf of the citizens of this community, extend to her our grateful appreciation for her extraordinary, lifelong contributions to individuals and families in the Greater Stamford community.
All of us at P2P are grateful for Pat’s commitment to our community and send our deepest sympathy to her husband Bob of 55 years, her son Graham, his wife Tara and two granddaughters, and daughter Lora and her husband Robert, granddaughter and grandson.
P2P Transforming Lives Luncheon, October 2017: Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Pat Phillips, Lucia Rilling
