Patricia (Phillips) "Pat" Hamilton

Patricia A. (Pat, Patsy) Hamilton, long time resident of Pepperell, MA, died of natural causes on November 11, 2021, at the age of 78.

Patricia is predeceased by her husband Thomas E. Hamilton and survived by her daughters Amy L. Kennedy (Sudbury, MA) and Jennifer (Jenna) A. Kennedy (Napa, CA), son-in-law David Sette-Ducati (Sudbury, MA), and grandsons Owen Sette-Ducati and Jack Sette-Ducati. She is also predeceased by her parents, Wendell E. Phillips and Anne Marie Phillips, and brothers Robert Phillips and Wendell Phillips. She is survived by her sisters Judith Days (Gardner, MA) and Arlene Rivers (Dracut, MA) and brother-in-law Steve Rivers and half-sister Jolene Phillips (Sacramento, CA). She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, and their families.

One of five children born to the late Wendell E. Phillips and Anne Marie Phillips, Pat grew up in Wilmington, MA, and graduated from Wilmington High Class of 1961. She loved to dance, and frequently attended the dances at the Boat House in Wakefield. As a teen, Pat liked caring for and mothering her younger sisters, Judy and Arlene. She would often share her clothes with them, curl their hair, and screen their dates. She was also very proud of buying her family's first TV and phone in the 1950s.

A jill of all trades, Pat worked at Poole bakery during high school and as a secretary at AFCO following graduation. She drove a school bus when her girls were young, and they fondly remember going along for rides, bouncing up and down in their seats. Pat eventually returned to cooking (one of her passions)—first as a short order cook at Skip's in Chelmsford, and later as a caterer. She supported the homeless as house manager of a shelter in Lowell, MA and was also a home health aide, an EMT, and the receptionist at an assisted living facility.

A generous and welcoming host, Patsy had many large family gatherings at her home—with siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbors in attendance. She would also invite individuals with no place to go for the holidays. During these raucous occasions, music, laughter, and love filled the house, as did the smells of delicious home cooking. Post dinner, there would often be a trip to the beach, a place Patsy loved. She cherished her nieces and nephews, doling out an endless supply of hugs, attention, and support—and would sometimes look the other way with a nod and a smile when mischief was afoot.

The love of Patsy's life was Tom Hamilton, whom she married in 1976. Both were civic- and community-minded and one of their first dates was to donate blood at a Red Cross drive. They were active members at the Community Church of Pepperell and involved in many other town organizations and events. For a time, Patsy served as cemetery commissioner, and came to know just about everyone in the small town. A time share in Vermont gave Pat and Tom the opportunity to share travel experiences, together and with friends and family. They made memorable trips to Newport, RI; Washington, D.C.; Hilton Head, SC; California, and other destinations.

Pat was known for wearing fun and colorful hats, which she covered in pins, including those in support of the ERA and NOW movements. She passed her love of food and adventurous spirit on to her daughters, Jenna and Amy. They remember time in the kitchen making pastry, 4 a.m. wake-up calls to witness Revolutionary War reenactments in Lexington, and expert jitterbug lessons in the living room. Pat also enjoyed playing rummy with her grandsons, Owen and Jack, and son in-law David. Her love of games was lifelong, and she looked forward to weekly rounds of cards and bingo when residing at her elderly residence in Hudson. In Pat's final years at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley she watched political news, enjoyed activities in the dining room and was known for her sweet nature and beautiful smile.

A memorial service will be held November 20 at Badger Funeral Home in Littleton, MA, with visiting hours from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and a service from 12 to 1 p.m. The memorial service will be livestreamed. A burial and larger celebration of Pat's life will be held in 2022.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pat's name to:
The American Red Cross www.redcross.org/

or

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://namimass.org/

In Patsy's later years, she was known for her beautiful smile. In remembrance of her, please bestow the gift of a smile on someone today.

Livestream link:
https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/541147