Patricia Phillips Obituary

Patricia Phillips ("Patty")
May 4, 1961 - November 5, 2024
Patty Phillips, age 63, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024, in her home on the Oregon Coast. Born on May 4, 1961, in Jerome, Idaho, Patty was a woman of extraordinary warmth, strength, and purpose.
After graduating with honors in Nursing, Patty devoted herself to providing exceptional care as a registered nurse for over 30 years in Boise, Idaho. She was known for her professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of care.
Patty shared a rare and beautiful love with her husband, Michael Vernon Phillips, whom she married at a young age. Together, they enjoyed a marriage of 43 years, rooted in friendship and trust, until Michael's passing in 2021. Patty always fondly referred to him as her "Hillbilly Romeo," often recalling with a bright smile how they would camp under the vast Idaho skies as he taught her the constellations.
Patty was a fierce and resilient woman of substance who met life's challenges with grace and an unbreakable spirit. She was a bold advocate for social justice, passionately supporting women's rights, people of color, the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and children affected by trauma. Patty and Michael together championed children in need, once even selling their wedding rings to buy essentials for their adopted child. While working as a social worker, Patty adopted a young mother of two who had been detained due to citizenship issues, welcoming them all into her family. Her advocacy was not just words but lived action, marked by genuine love and sacrifice.
Patty was also known for her infectious sense of humor that could brighten any room. She had the rare gift of making others laugh, even in the toughest of times, and her quick wit and laughter were part of her incredible charm.
After Michael's passing, Patty adopted a dog named Cooper, who brought her immense joy and comfort during a difficult time. Their bond became a source of happiness, and in honor of Cooper's special place in her heart, the family requests donations be made to Unbreakable Rescue Allies instead of flowers.
Patty will be remembered for her kindness, a legacy she built by putting others first and continuously asking herself how she could do more. She lovingly adopted not only children but animals and friends, all of whom she held close as her own family. Her life embodied the sentiment that "kindness matters," a legacy she leaves for her loved ones and all whose lives she touched.
Patty was preceded in death by her husband Michael, daughter Maria and her sweet kitty Abraham. She is survived by her children Crystal (Gil) Aguilar, Brandie (Eyad) Hamad, and Marla Cress; she thoroughly loved being Grandma to her grandchildren – Catherine and Donovan (Lina) Hamad, Megan (Will) Irving, Austin & Kayleigh Cress, Mateo & Maxxon Aguilar, Devanny, Tristan, Mylie, Amiyah, and Michael Phillips, and a Grammy to her 3 great-granddaughters Carter, Loralei, Aurora, and her 2 great-grandbabies on the way; and being Aunt Patty to her beloved niece Amanda (Cass) La Prade. Her family will forever cherish her memory and carry forward the values she held dear.
As Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Patty's kindness, generosity, and spirit will indeed echo for generations.
A private ceremony will be held with her closest family, but all who knew Patty are encouraged to celebrate her life in their own ways, remembering her kindness, strength, and unwavering love for others. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Patty's name to Unbreakable Rescue Allies. For donations, please contact Melissa McCall, Director, or Sheryl Wilkinson at 541-517-8370.