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 that had a rare combination of diverse and enviable qualities. She will be deeply missed by so many that 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 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 in Long Island before she decided to turn her skills and compassion on her family and in 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 and 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 in the chemo-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.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 1:00 pm at Temple Israel in Westport, CT. (14 Coleytown Rd). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Ave, Norwalk, CT. Shiva will be observed at the home of Kenneth & Phyllis Makovsky in Westport, CT on Tuesday 2/21 post service till 8:00 pm and Wednesday + Thursday from 1:00 pm till 7:00 pm.

To livestream the funeral service, please use the following link www.tiwestport.org/livestream go to the youtube page and it will be the first “live” video listing for the day. To share a condolence message, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org/metny