Rose Mary Phelan

Rose M. Phelan, 86 years old, died Saturday 11/12/16 surrounded by her family at Encore at Turf Valley in Ellicott City. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. A charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial for her service in the U.S.A.F. at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM during the Korean Conflict. It was there that she met her beloved husband of 63 years, James P. Phelan, Sr. A trained seamstress in New York she also worked as a wardrobe dresser in Baltimore City theatre productions and later employed by the City of Baltimore school system. Her greatest accomplishment was raising her five devoted children. Survived by her husband, James P. Phelan, Sr. Children Diane Rider nee Phelan and husband Richard Rider; Rosemarie Phelan and wife Melissa Gerstenhaber; J. Paul Phelan, Jr and wife Lori Phelan; Regis Phelan and wife Katherine Phelan; Marianne Phelan Martinson and husband Richard Martinson. Eight grandchildren: Brian Rider, Timothy Rider, Kelly Rider, Katie Phelan, Gavin Ross, Meaghan Ross, Rebecca Martinson, James Martinson. Three great-grandchildren: Ella DeGraff, Lucy Rider and Reese Perfidio Rider. Also survived by her sister, Josephine (DeStefano) Schmitt and brother Lou DeStefano.

In lieu of flowers, make donations in memory of Rose to: Parkinson's Disease Research Center, Johns Hopkins, c/o Dr. Liana Rosenthal, 10751 Falls Rd, Suite 250, Lutherville, MD 21093.