Carmella Louise Phillips

Carmella Louise Phillips, 87, loving wife to the late Clyde Phillips, passed away peacefully in Palm Springs on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
She was born on March 9, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, but Carmella used to say that her life really began when she met Clyde. She was a gregarious Italian Catholic who never met a stranger and he was a quiet Southern Baptist gentleman. They were madly in love for 65 years. When Clyde started a plumbing and heating company Carmella not only ran his office, but dedicated her life to caring for their five children. Carmella's lifelong passion was bowling; she loved the camaraderie of being on a team. She greeted each day with faith-based joy, celebration, and love.

As busy as she was, Carmella always cared about making her community a better place. She was a dedicated member of the PTA, a member of the Coachella Valley Organ Club and a founding volunteer for the Palm Springs Film Festival. She and Clyde devoted countless hours promoting the Palm Springs Art Museum and they were enthusiastic volunteer greeters at the Muse Café who even have sandwiches named after them!

She is survived by her sons Vernon, Eugene, Danny, and Clyde Robert and daughter, Mary; sister Rose Pintozzi and brother-in-law Dave Hanover. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The desert has lost a vivacious woman who will be missed by many.

Services will be held at 10 am, June 29 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Palm Springs.