Phyllis Makovsky

Phyllis Makovsky
February 16, 2023
Phyllis Makovsky, 80, of Westport, Connecticut, passed away on Thursday, February 16th, 2023, in her home, surrounded by her family. She passed after a courageous and inspiring fight against Leukemia (AML). Phyllis was a remarkable woman, a one-of-a-kind person who had a rare combination of diverse and enviable qualities. She will be deeply missed by so many who loved and cherished her.
Phyllis was born in Queens, New York, to Grace and Murray Peck. Phyllis had a superlative academic background, graduating from Barnard College, where she was chair of the honor board, with honors and receiving her Master's Degree in teaching from Harvard University. She was a passionate teacher in the classroom as she taught advanced mathematics at The Brearley School in Manhattan and Great Neck South High School on Long Island before she decided to turn her skills and compassion to her family and to prominent roles in the community.
In 1972, Phyllis met Kenneth Makovsky; they married within months and went on to share a storybook partnership that spanned exactly 50 years. Phyllis was a fiercely dedicated wife; the two supported one another in every way and enabled each other's successes in business, at home and in their social and philanthropic lives. She served as a crucial strategic advisor to Ken as he built the Public Relations agency, Makovsky & Company.
Phyllis was a doer and her work came in many forms. She served Temple Israel and its congregation as a board member for 10 years. She established a scholarship at Washington University in St. Louis dedicated to music. After her second diagnosis with breast cancer, she decided to return to Norwalk Hospital as a volunteer at the Whittingham Cancer Center infusion center, where she spent 20 years and in the very room where she returned for the final part of her Leukemia treatment. No surprise she was greeted with big hugs.
Phyllis was a wonderful mother to her two children, Matthew and Evan, and used her talents as a teacher and unique combination of grace, grit and empathy to invest into her family so that they could shine. As a friend and a sister she did the same. It didn't matter whether you were a 50-year long friend or someone on first meeting, Phyllis was present, kind and insightful, and that love and good energy was returned to her by so many.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Kenneth, sons Matt and Evan, and brother Stephen Peck.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 21 at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Rd., Westport, CT. Burial followed at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Ave, Norwalk, CT. Shiva was observed at the home of Kenneth & Phyllis Makovsky in Westport, CT.
To share a condolence message, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com .
Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/metny