Mary G. Phelan

March 14, 1923 - March 29, 2014

Mary Gloria Phelan, 91, Beloved wife of Patrick J. Phelan, Sr., died peacefully Saturday Evening, March 29, 2014, in Falls Church, VA, blessedly allowing a quiet end to her suffering.

"Gloria" as she was known to all, was a warm and caring woman, with a beautiful smile, a quick wit, and a kind and bountiful heart, in which she embraced her large, blended family. She, along with Pat, Sr., her husband, her partner, her mate, made a striking couple, and together, they stood strong, healthy and vital throughout their 80's. The two joked easily between themselves, and Gloria's sense of humor, often self-directed, stayed with her throughout hardships right up until her passing. Her vivacious personality and her easy, rich, contagious laugh readily drew in those around her to share in her merriment.

Mother of two sons, Rick and John, whom she prized in her heart, Gloria was always devoted to her small, nuclear family, and to her much larger extended family. Most difficult for Gloria, was the loss of her eldest son, Rick, in March of 2003.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Gloria was the middle daughter of five girls born to Laura (Wright) Simms and Bernard Rupert Simms, and she was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, in DC. Of the five girls, "Jessie", Blannie, (then Gloria) Vivian and Charlotte, only Blannie predeceased Gloria. Gloria will be dearly missed by her three remaining sisters.

As a young girl raised during the Great Depression, and later, as a single, working mother raising two sons in the Washington, DC area, she learned a thing or two about pinching pennies. Among the generation of women becoming part of the workforce during the war years, Gloria made ends meet working in data entry. Early on in her career, she worked for the telephone company.

In her younger adult life, Gloria was an avid outdoorswoman, belonging to a hiking club, and enjoying canoeing and camping. Her love of the outdoors extended to gardening and plants, and followed her into condominium life. Her green thumb enabled her to extend her gardening skills to container gardening in small spaces, indoor and out. The plants thrived under her nurturing, and she flourished in the presence of her plants and flowers. Her interest in horticulture extended to the ability to identify many species of birds, as well as trees by their leaves. Birds and squirrels visiting her tiny balcony garden always tickled Gloria, and she delighted in the oaks and maples and other volunteers sprouting up in her flowerpots. She also knew her way around a sewing machine, and at one time, enjoyed knitting.

Gloria's active lifestyle extended into her senior years in the form of her 2-3 times weekly aerobic exercise class with "the girls" which kept her fit and slim, young and healthy beyond her 90th year. Her friendships, and regular lunch outings, with "the girls" also helped keep her young, and her spirit up.

As she and Pat, Sr. witnessed their children becoming adults, and began reaping the rewards of becoming grandparents, then great-grandparents, what Gloria seemed most to appreciate was her time with family. She delighted in each addition to her extended family and in holding each precious new baby. Right up until the end, she was looking forward to the birth of hers and Pat, Sr.'s 24th great-grandchild, the newest great-granddaughter due within a month of Gloria's passing.

Above all else, what Gloria cherished was those closest to her, her husband, Pat, Sr., her two sons, Rick and John, her grandchildren, JT and Whitney, and her great-grandchildren, Johnny, Sebastian and Viola, as well as "her" children, grandchildren, and great-grand's on Pat's side, and her own extended family.

Daughter of: Laura and Bernard Rupert Simms, (deceased). Wife of: Patrick J. Phelan, Sr. Mother of: Richard Alan Stanton (deceased) and John T. Stanton. Mother-In-Law of: Donna Stanton, Richard's widow; and in spirit to: Carol Gray. Sister of: Laura "Jessie" Brown (Herman Brown, deceased); Blannie (and Harry) Wilson (both deceased); Vivian Watts (Charles Watts, deceased), Charlotte (and Jim) Davis. Grandma of: John T. Stanton, II (J.T.) and Whitney E. Stanton; and Great-Grandma of John Satirious Stanton, and Sebastian and Viola McKenna. Aunt to a number of nieces, nephews, and grands. In addition, "Mother" to Patrick, Jr. (and Teresa) Phelan; Thomas Phelan, Sr. and Mary Sapp Phelan, (Divorced); Theresa (and Robert) Jordana; Marianne (and Walter) Stewart. Grandma to Patrick, III (deceased) (and Elizabeth) Phelan; Teresa (and Jeremy) Holmberg; Heidi M. Phelan; Kiko (and Jeannie) Phelan; Rachel (and Jeremy) Jones; Joseph C. Phelan; Thomas, Jr. (and Rebecca) Phelan; Douglas (and Holly) Phelan; James (and Kate) Jordana; Melissa Jordana; Walter Stewart (and Sarah Griffin); and Dustin Stewart. Also Great-Grandma to: Elijah; Chloe, Ethan, Sadie, Violet; Kiko, Olivia, Ayden, Maddox, Phoebe; Hannah, Lillie, Brandon, Summer; Mistaya; Calvin; Lincoln, Samantha Reese, Miles; Lukas, Melanie; and Baby-Girl-to-be Abigail.

Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, Aunt, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, and Friend, Gloria will be lovingly remembered by all those she left behind.

Please join us in a Celebration of Gloria's Life

Monday, April 7, 2014