'An incredible life well-lived': Patricia Frist, longtime Nashville philanthropist, dies at 81

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the career of Patricia Frist's son William.

Patricia Frist, a well-known Nashville philanthropist and business advocate, has died at 81. 

A family obituary said she died on Jan. 5 in Nashville, surrounded by family.

"She always put the needs of family, friends and the community before her own," the obituary said. "Always at the center of her family's activities, she achieved equal success in business, charitable and philanthropic endeavors." 

A longtime Nashvillian, Frist first moved to the area in 1951 as a sixth grader and attended Stokes Elementary School. She later went on to attend Hillsboro High School and Vanderbilt University, where she graduated in 1961 with a BA in English and history.

Patricia Frist and her husband, Thomas Frist Jr., married in 1961. They had three children: Patricia "Trisha," Thomas III and William. 

Frist worked alongside her husband and father-in-law, Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., to found HCA, formerly known as Hospital Corporation of America, in 1968. She also helped create the HCA Foundation in 1982.

"Throughout their 60-year marriage, Mrs. Frist was an equal partner in all their endeavors," the family obituary said. 

HCA went on to become the largest hospital chain in the United States and has used its size to become a Fortune 500 company and a leader in medical innovation. 

"We are saddened by the passing of Trisha Frist, a wonderful woman who cared deeply about her family and friends," said Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare. "Her love and support for our organization and the Nashville community has made us all better, and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Frist family and everyone who was fortunate to be touched by her life."

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'An incredible life well-lived'

In 1997, Vanderbilt named its new, three-story nursing school building after Patricia Frist. She and her husband donated $1.85 million toward the construction of the 24,000-square foot facility.

"Trish has always had a very soft spot for nursing education and for what nurses do," Colleen Conway Welch told The Tennessean in 1997. Conway Welch was Vanderbilt's School of Nursing dean at the time. "She wanted to help her children and grandchildren recognize the value of nursing, and she thought having the Frist name on it was important." 

On Thursday, Vanderbilt University Medical center expressed its sympathy to the Frist family for their loss. 

"Patricia’s support for medical education, especially the School of Nursing, included a transformational gift in the 1990s for a facility expansion that continues to benefit generations of students," said Dr. Jeff Balser, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Frist was also a driving force behind founding the United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society in 1984. The society works to connect philanthropic and volunteer leaders in the U.S., France and Romania who work to create long-lasting change and address their community's biggest issues, according to its website.

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"What Dr. Frist and Mrs. Frist did was spread the idea around the country and then ultimately it went around the world," said Brian Hassett, president of the United Way of Greater Nashville.

Today he said the society accounts for nearly $10 billion in contributions to the United Way, which in turn benefits the hundreds of thousands of nonprofits that depend on them for funding.

"They very quietly did so much," Hassett said of the Frists. "They're truly incredible people. She was a key to this whole thing. Nashville is known as one of the most generous communities in America in terms of philanthropy, and I really think it starts with Patricia and Tommy Frist." 

Among her numerous awards, Patricia Frist received the United Way's Women's Initiative Spirit of Giving Award. She and her husband also helped found the Frist Art Museum, the YMCA's Frist Teen Center in Green Hills and numerous other projects.

"It's a sad day, but in many ways we celebrate all that she's done," Hassett said. "I think there's a lot of people who are grieving, but also understand she had an incredible life well-lived." 

Family shares funeral, memorial details

Patricia Frist was preceded in death by her parents, Garland Ryals and Ogden Harrington Champion. Survivors include her husband, Thomas F. Frist Jr., children Patricia Frist Elcan (Charles "Chuck"), Thomas F. Frist III (Julie), William Robert Frist (Jennifer) and grandchildren and pallbearers Lauren Elcan, Cate Elcan, Carrington Elcan, Caroline Frist, Annabel Frist, Thomas Frist IV, Walker Frist, Jacqueline Frist and Sophia Frist.

A family-only service was held Thursday and a larger memorial and celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for charitable donations to the Frist Art Museum or a charity of the donor's choosing.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.