1929
Mary
2024
Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps
July 24, 1929 — December 11, 2024
Mary Phelps Obituary
Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps, age 95, of Windham Center, CT passed away on December 11, 2024 at her beloved daughter’s home in Middletown, CT surrounded by love from her family.
Mary was born on July 24, 1929 in Loveland, Colorado to the late David and Theodora (Grether) Woelfle. Mary attended York College in York, Nebraska where she met and married her late husband Vernon Lloyd Phelps on November 12, 1950 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Loveland, CO. Together, Mary and Vernon traveled around the world multiple times. Her favorite place was always her home, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In the late 1950’s they served together as missionary teachers in Sierra Leone. Upon their return to the United States Mary taught at Winston Salem State College and Barber-Scotia College, both in North Carolina. She later earned her master’s degree in education and taught English and American Studies at Windham High School from 1968 until her retirement in 1991. She was loved and respected by the students that she taught. Together Mary and Vernon served many communities throughout the world, dedicating their time and resources to bringing cultures together. One of the many things Mary enjoyed doing was leading Race Culture Seminars as well as Conflict Management Seminars. On many occasions Mary used storytelling to speak to children and groups of people regarding the importance of love, kindness and embracing the differences of others.
Mary was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend to many. She was the radiant center of any circle she entered, especially her family. Her love exuded from her; her passion and love for life and family overflowed. Mary was a light in the world, that through her teachings and example will not be dimmed by her passing, however, passed down to others.
Mary is survived by her children Michael Phelps of Chaplin, CT, Mark Phelps and wife, Carol of Windham Center, CT, Linda (Phelps) Fish of Middletown, CT and sister Marcia Phelps who preceded her parents in death. She is also survived by her Grandchildren Erin (Phelps) and Randall Hickman, Adam Phelps, Emily (Phelps) and Brandon Longe, Megan (Phelps) and Kevin Miele, Alexander Phelps, Michael Fish and Mary Fish. In addition to being a Grandmother, Mary was a Great-Grandmother to Mckenzie, Claire and Abigail Smith, Myles Longe, Tristan Jasper (TJ) Longe, Noah and Amber Longe, Jacob Longe, Eloise Phelps and Valerie Dow. She was also due to be a Great-Great Grandmother to a sweet baby boy in May of 2025. Mary was survived by her brother’s spouses Phyllis Woelfle, Roe Zanne Woelfle and Clarita Woelfle. In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Lloyd Phelps, daughter, Marcia Phelps, Brothers, Reverend Paul Woelfle, Reverend William Woelfle and David Woelfle. The family would also like to mention special family members: Kenneth Fish and Deborah Solesky.
Pallbearers will be Michael Fish, Alex Phelps, Brandon Longe, Randall Hickman, Noah Longe and Jacob Longe. Honorary Pall Bearers are Dennis Phelps, Randy Phelps, Ricky Phelps.
Mary’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00am to 10:00am at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, with her funeral service beginning at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Windham Center Cemetery, Windham.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps, please visit our floral store.
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Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps, age 95, of Windham Center, CT passed away on December 11, 2024 at her beloved daughter’s home in Middletown, CT surrounded by love from her family.
Mary was born on July 24, 1929 in Loveland, Colorado to the late David and Theodora (Grether) Woelfle. Mary attended York College in York, Nebraska where she met and married her late husband Vernon Lloyd Phelps on November 12, 1950 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Loveland, CO. Together, Mary and Vernon traveled around the world multiple times. Her favorite place was always her home, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In the late 1950’s they served together as missionary teachers in Sierra Leone. Upon their return to the United States Mary taught at Winston Salem State College and Barber-Scotia College, both in North Carolina. She later earned her master’s degree in education and taught English and American Studies at Windham High School from 1968 until her retirement in 1991. She was loved and respected by the students that she taught. Together Mary and Vernon served many communities throughout the world, dedicating their time and resources to bringing cultures together. One of the many things Mary enjoyed doing was leading Race Culture Seminars as well as Conflict Management Seminars. On many occasions Mary used storytelling to speak to children and groups of people regarding the importance of love, kindness and embracing the differences of others.
Mary was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend to many. She was the radiant center of any circle she entered, especially her family. Her love exuded from her; her passion and love for life and family overflowed. Mary was a light in the world, that through her teachings and example will not be dimmed by her passing, however, passed down to others.
Mary is survived by her children Michael Phelps of Chaplin, CT, Mark Phelps and wife, Carol of Windham Center, CT, Linda (Phelps) Fish of Middletown, CT and sister Marcia Phelps who preceded her parents in death. She is also survived by her Grandchildren Erin (Phelps) and Randall Hickman, Adam Phelps, Emily (Phelps) and Brandon Longe, Megan (Phelps) and Kevin Miele, Alexander Phelps, Michael Fish and Mary Fish. In addition to being a Grandmother, Mary was a Great-Grandmother to Mckenzie, Claire and Abigail Smith, Myles Longe, Tristan Jasper (TJ) Longe, Noah and Amber Longe, Jacob Longe, Eloise Phelps and Valerie Dow. She was also due to be a Great-Great Grandmother to a sweet baby boy in May of 2025. Mary was survived by her brother’s spouses Phyllis Woelfle, Roe Zanne Woelfle and Clarita Woelfle. In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Lloyd Phelps, daughter, Marcia Phelps, Brothers, Reverend Paul Woelfle, Reverend William Woelfle and David Woelfle. The family would also like to mention special family members: Kenneth Fish and Deborah Solesky.
Pallbearers will be Michael Fish, Alex Phelps, Brandon Longe, Randall Hickman, Noah Longe and Jacob Longe. Honorary Pall Bearers are Dennis Phelps, Randy Phelps, Ricky Phelps.
Mary’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00am to 10:00am at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, with her funeral service beginning at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Windham Center Cemetery, Windham.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps, please visit our floral store.
Read More
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Joan (Woelfle) Phelps, please visit our flower store.
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