Patricia Louise Phillips

Patricia Louise (Patty) Phillips, 74 of Bozeman, MT, formerly of Champaign, IL, passed away Sunday, August 28th, from complications of cancer. She was born September 30, 1936 in Terre Haute, IN to Clifford and Virginia Ellis. She spent her childhood in Terre Haute and married Jack Phillips in 1955 in Terre Haute. Patty traveled with Jack to Europe where he was stationed in the military and after minor stops they settled in Champaign, IL and raised three boys: John, Mike and Rob. During their early years Patty worked at the Champaign School District and raised the boys. The Phillips family was a baseball family and Patty loved supporting the baseball endeavors of her children and was widely acknowledged as having the loudest cheering voice at the ballpark! Her insistence on bettering herself began with attending evening classes at Parkland Junior College beginning in 1972. Her persistence led to her receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree and then Masters of Social Work degree from the University Illinois in 1984 #8211; a 12-year journey! Patty went on to work for 20 years as a social worker for the Champaign School District, Charleston School District, and Carle Clinic, working with troubled families, before retiring to Bozeman, MT where she enjoyed her retirement years involved with the church, playing bridge, and most of all, spending time with her family and playing with her grandchildren. Survivors include her sons John of Charlotte, NC and his children, Jessica and Jacob; Mike (Linda) Phillips of Bozeman, MT, and their children Grace, Drake, Samuel, Annabelle; and Rob (Janene) Phillips of Eden Prairie, MN and their children Will and Erik. In May of 2011 Patty held her first great-grandchild. A service will be held 2 pm Friday, September 2, at Grace Bible Church, Bozeman, in the Fireside Room with a casual reception immediately afterwards. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com