Claudia Phillips

1933 - 2024

Claudia (DeLew) Phillips
12/13/1933 - 08/03/2024
Claudia (nee DeLew) Phillips of San Francisco and San Carlos, California died peacefully of natural causes on Saturday August 3, 2024, in Burlingame, CA. She was 90 years old.
Born December 13, 1933, in Oakland, Ca, Claudia grew up in El Sobrante. She went to high school in both Idaho Springs, CO, where she met many lifelong friends and learned to ski and graduated from El Cerrito High. After high school, Claudia and her family moved to San Francisco, where she went to Heald Business College. It was in her job as a secretary where she met her husband, AJ Phillips. They were married in 1958, and a lifelong partnership of love and family began. They started out their life together in Daly City, and finally settled in the Westlake District. Claudia enjoyed many years working with the Westlake Catholic Women as part of the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and School. She loved volunteering at the Parish Festival, Fashion Show, Rummage Sale and at the school to help with the Brownie troop or to drive her kids and teammates to scores of team games. In Westlake she also enjoyed playing tennis at Westlake Park with friends and with her husband A.J.
In 1978, the Phillips' moved to San Francisco, and Claudia returned to work as a Real Estate Agent for Donald J. Cameron realty. She continued to work in the real estate industry for many years following as a loan underwriter at US Bank, and with Jane Fong and Associates. After AJ's passing in 2006, Claudia moved to San Carlos with her dogs Trixie and Ella where she loved living. She treasured her independence and lived on her own until very recently. In her free time, Claudia was an expert quilter and sewer where she created countless beautiful quilts, wall hangings and pillows. She so enjoyed this hobby. She attended many classes to hone her skills. Mom also enjoyed listening to music and she attended many concerts. She enjoyed any kind of music from Classical to Hard Rock. Some of her favorite artists included Zucherro, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis, and Neil Diamond. She was also an avid reader, and she returned to college to study Literature at Skyline College. Claudia was raised on a ranch in El Sobrante which helped her become an animal lover; she always had a little pooch near her side, and she had parakeets for many years too. Claudia was an enthusiastic cook where on a regular basis would experiment with new cooking gadgets and appliances. She was never afraid to try something new and we were always impressed with her ability to keep up with the times in most everything, whether in cooking or technology.
She continually encouraged us with our work lives and our home lives and was always there to lend a hand to assist with our kids. She was super proud of her 5 children and 9 grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and in her later years especially her Grandkids, whether it be attending one of their soccer or football games, gymnastics meets, watching the planes land at SFO, a trip to the Zoo or Happy Hollow, or attending a piano or singing concert or play. They were the apples of her eye. She was "in" and always ready to go. We so loved that about her.
We will miss her deeply. Since Dad passed, she has been the center of our lives. The matriarch. She handled this role well.
God Bless you Mom, Claudia DeLew, Claudia Phillips, Little Grandma, Grandma Claudia, or CDP. You were a class act, and we will always love and miss you. We know we will see you again when God calls us, and we know you will go straight to Heaven. You have had a deep Christian faith your whole life. You are and always have been an excellent role model of peace, kindness, and deep thinking. XOXO
Claudia is survived by children Greg Phillips of Seattle, Lorrie Garrity (Jim) of San Carlos, Jacqueline Phillips of San Leandro, Jim Phillips (Kathy nee McCarthy) of San Francisco and Karen Gebhart (Thomas) of San Carlos; and 8 grandchildren Luke Phillips; Michael Garrity, Katie Garrity Ashforth (Harry), Sean Garrity, Allison Phillips, Drew Phillips, Natalie Gebhart, and Zachary Gebhart; her sister-in-law Geri Kaufmann (nee Phillips) of Erie, PA and many nieces and nephews also of Erie, PA. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Anthony Joseph Phillips (A.J. Phillips); her Mother and Father Fred and Hannah (nee Nevin) DeLew, her sister Jolee Delew; her Aunt & Uncle Ed and Josephine (nee Nevin) Vest, her cousin Margaret Dart Kerr, her granddaughter Amy Phillips, her 5 sister and brother in-laws and their respective spouses, and many dear friends.
To celebrate a life well lived we are having a funeral Mass for Claudia at St. Charles Church, 880 Tamarack Avenue in San Carlos, CA on Friday August 23, 2024. Viewing and visiting from 10:15 – 10:45 am and Mass at 11:00 am. All, also, are invited to attend the burial immediately following at the Italian Cemetery in Colma, California, with a reception to follow. (For more information, please email us at cdp4mom@gmail.com)
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Humane Society of Silicon (www.hssv.org) or charitable cause of your choice.