Obituary of Philippa Pohl

Philippa Walter Pohl, "Flip", 80, of New York, NY, passed away April 15, 2015 at home in Essex, CT. Flip lived each day to the fullest, whether regaling old friends with tales, or hosting one of her famous dinner parties, she approached each day with a renowned vigor. In all of Flip's travels around the world to many exotic locales, she never met a stranger. Her incredible ability to talk to anyone was one of her greatest strengths and endeared her to so many. People often felt that they had known her for years even after knowing her for just a short time. Flip was born in Brooklyn, NY, living her life in New York City, Long Island and Connecticut. She had quite a career. Flip worked at Caltex, and later, Texaco for 14 years, finishing her career there as the first female public relations staff member. Later on, Flip owned and operated a communication skills training company in Connecticut. She finished her career as a Real Estate Agent in Essex. Flip gave back to the community by volunteering with many organizations, including fund raising for Child and Family, The Williams School and Trinity College. She was a volunteer conversational English teacher in New York City for 10 years, as well as a volunteer grandmother helping teach children to read in North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Philipp and Lillian Walter, and her brother Philipp Walter, Jr. She is survived by her son, William Breckenfeld, her daughter-in-law, Marianne Albin, her grand-children Liam and Henry Breckenfeld and her loving life partner, Geoffrey Balshaw. Memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Palliative/Hospice Care Unit at Middlesex Hospital Office of Philanthropy 28 Crescent Street Middletown, CT 06457. Donations may also be made online at: http://middlesexhospital.org/support-middlesex-hospital. To share a memory of Flip or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.