In Memory of Mary E. Phelan

Obituary

Mary E. Phelan, age 104, of New Hartford, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at the MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with her loving son at her side. Mary was of the Roman Catholic faith and was a very loving and selfless person. Her smile was always infectious.

Mary was born on August 10, 1913, in Utica, a daughter of the late Joseph C. and Emma (Wandres) Leddy. She attended St. Agnes Elementary School and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. On April 16, 1941, in Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica, Mary was wed to John W. Phelan, an officer in the Utica Police Department. The newly weds honeymooned in Washington, D.C. John died in France on November 10, 1944, while serving in the United States Army. Mary worked for Horrocks-Ibbotson, a maker of fishing tackle in Utica, and later worked for the Wicks and Greenman Clothing Store in downtown Utica, retiring in 1975.

Mary at one time was a member of Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica, and volunteered for many years with the American Red Cross. She looked forward to her monthly Ladys luncheons at Grimaldi's Restaurant and with her free time she enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

She is survived by her son, John W. Phelan, of New Hartford; sister in law, Martha Phelan of OH; nieces and nephews: Anne LaFleur, Sarah LaFleur Friedman, Vincent LaFleur and his wife, Anne, all of MA; Mary Elizabeth Joyce and her husband, Bob, of MD; Laurence Kenny and his wife, Patrice, of NH; Brian Kenny and his wife, Judie, of PA; Maryann Wengert and husband, Bob, of OH; Robert Kenny and wife, Sandra, of FL; Francis Kenny of TX; Beth Riley Baker and her husband, David, of IN; David Phelan and his wife, Barbara, of OH; Anne Phelan of IN; Carmen Leddy of CA; grand-nephew John Leddy, and grand-nieces Jessica Leddy and Mary A. Leddy, all of CA. She was predeceased by a brother, Joseph R. Leddy, a nephew, Joseph P. Leddy, a niece, Lynda Leddy Belshe, and cousins Helen Vaeth and Herbert Bassett.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to her caregivers, Donna Alexander, Theresa Karrat, Linda McLeod, Judy Romanowski and the staff of the Clark North unit at MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for all the compassionate care given to Mary. And a thank you to very special friends Daniel Sullivan and Suzanne Firlit.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford on Saturday, June 16 at 9:30 am. The family will greet all guests after the Mass. Interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, New Hartford.

Friends may consider a gift to the St. Jude, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Mary.