Harriet Sara Phillips (née Jendian), loving wife, mother and grandmother, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her family on February 12, 2021 in Mandalay Bay, CA after her 2 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 79 years old. Harriet was born on April 8,1941 in Brooklyn, NY to John Jendian Sr, an Armenian Genocide survivor, and Christine (née Mazmanian) Jendian.
Harriet lead a full and blessed life. She was very involved in her church St Thomas in Tenafly, New Jersey. She taught Sunday school, was president of the Armenian Church Youth Organization and was one of the first debutantes for the Armenian Eastern Diocese. She continued her dedication to her Armenian roots after she moved to Los Angeles and was involved in the Mr & Mrs Group at St Peter Armenian church as well as being a Sunday school teacher and Chairlady of the Armenian Church Youth Organization. More recently she supported the Ararat Armenian old age home and House of Hope - Mer Hooys, an organization for young women in Armenia.
In addition to her work within the Armenian community, Harriet also dedicated her time to the YWCA where she was President of her local chapter and to her husband Tom’s West Point Society and Masonic Lodge.
She was known as the consummate entertainer and was the driving force behind numerous gourmet club dinners, social gatherings and parties. Her amazing cooking talent led her to start her own catering company and to co-write a Filo Dough Cookbook.
Harriet loved to travel and was blessed to see the world with her husband. Her love of travel extended beyond her travels with Tom as she planned trips for each of her children when they turned 50, her grandchildren when they reached the age of 12 as well as a trip to Armenia when they reached 18. Her passions other than her travels, were attending plays and operas and playing cards with her girlfriends. She was always the ring leader organizing girl trips, card games, birthday parties, teas, lunches and dinners.
Harriet taught everyone how to love, live, gather, eat, travel, and experience, she will be forever missed.
Harriet was the beloved wife of Thomas J Phillips II, devoted mother to Jil Yaldezian and husband Paul, Joy Barnett, Jan Mays and husband John, Jay Soukiassian and wife Courtney, stepson David Phillips and wife Rocio, stepson Don Phillips and wife Cyndi, stepson Mike Phillips, and her 13 grandchildren, Matthew, Micah, and Jacob Yaldezian, Hunter and Madyson Barnett, Amanda, Sean, Justin, Brett and Bradley Mays, Christine Soukiassian, Andrew and Sarah Phillips. Harriet is predeceased by her parents Christine & John Jendian, daughter Kim Soukiassian, and brother John Jendian.
Memorial services will be held on April 10th, at St Peter’s Armenian Church in Van Nuys. Current public health and safety measures will be followed. Social distancing and face masks will be required for everyone’s safety.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to House of Hope - Mer Hooys Inc, PO Box 8507, Calabasas, CA 91372 (or at www.Mer-Hooys.org) or to The International Women’s Association - San Francisco Chapter, 65 Main Street, #3A, Watertown, MA 02472 (or at www.aiwainternational.org)