Patricia Marie Phillips

In Loving Memory of Patricia Marie Phillips, RN

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch Patricia Marie Phillips (Fonder), who peacefully departed this world on September 8, coincidentally (or not) on the celebrated birthday of her most revered Blessed Virgin Mary, and almost a month after we gathered as a family to celebrate her 93rd birthday. She leaves behind a legacy of love, grace, and devotion to her family and her Lord.

Pat was born on August 14, 1930, in Rockford WA, to Frank and Emily Fonder. She was the eldest of two children and her sister Mary Jeanne (1932) and her parents preceded her in death, along with two of her grandchildren. Throughout her long and fulfilling life she touched the hearts of many with her boundless kindness, optimism, and grace.

Pat graduated from Marycliff High School in 1948 and entered the Sacred Heart School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. She held multiple nursing jobs in Spokane but most of her career was spent as an industrial nurse for Kaiser Aluminum and an RN caregiver at Lakeland Village. After retiring, Pat continued to serve her community in many ways, including committed service to the House of Charity Outreach Clinic for 13 years.

Pat married the love of her life, Robert Fletcher Phillips on May 31, 1952, and devoted her life to raising their ten children in their home on Woodside - Mary Walmsley (Greg), Robert Jr (Terri), Susan Masteller (Charlie Reynolds), Ed (Barbie), Mike (Denise), Cathy Walters (Keith Adkins), Barbara (Jack Kemp), Jim (Lori), Carole Tonani (Tim), Colleen (Deanna Williams) - instilling in them values of love, compassion, and resilience. The family grew to include 24 grandchildren and continues to bring many (30+) great grandchildren into the world. Her home was a sanctuary of warmth and laughter, where countless memories were created and cherished. Her passing leaves a void in our lives that can never be filled, but her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 29th at 11am Assumption Church with a family graveside service at Holy Cross and a Celebration of Life at the Kalispel Golf and Country Club 12:30pm. Our family would like to thank Touchmark and Fairview Assisted Living for enhancing Mom’s latter years. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to Catholic Charities, a cause that was close to Pat's heart, or either facility stated above.

As we say our final farewell to our beloved mother, we find solace in the knowledge that her love and legacy will live on through the generations she has touched. May she find eternal peace and rest in the arms of the angels. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

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