Shirley A Phelon

Shirley (McCormack) Phelon, 72, entered the loving hands of her Lord God on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at her home in East Hartford. Shirley was born January 24, 1939 in New Haven, daughter to the late Patrick and Elizabeth (Dunn)McCormack. She attended Oak Hill School for the Blind in Hartford and after graduation went on to become very active in the blind community and hold several offices. In August of 1966 Shirley married Charles C. Phelon, Jr. and into this union were born three beautiful daughters, Sheila, Kimberly, and Melanie. Shirley loved spending time with her closest friends Patricia Martinyak, Eileen “Mrs. Farmington” Fusari, and Mary Sheehan who brought her great joy and comfort in her last days. In her later years, she gained guardianship of Patrick R. Reed and raised him from infancy as her own. Shirley, known to most as “Naunie”, she enjoyed spending countless hours with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren reading books, playing cards, dominos, and tic-tac-Tony. She was a true friend to all that knew her and was never too busy to listen. She loved as deeply as she was loved, her spirit will live on in those whose lives she touched.

Shirley is survived by her three daughters, Sheila Doughty and her husband Brian, Kimberly Soucy and her husband Roland, Melanie Lotzkar and her husband Scott; her son Patrick R. Reed; eight grandchildren, Brian C., Ashtyn, Erin-Lyn, and Kenneth Doughty, Amber and Jason Charrette, Nicholas and Samuel Lotzkar; five great-grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, of 13 years and her four siblings, Patrick McCormack, Kathleen Gunther, Alice Reed, and Rosemary Belko.

Calling hours for the public will be Friday, March 18th from 4-8pm at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, March 19th at Saint Christopher’s church, 538 Brewer Street in East Hartford. Christian burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery where she will rejoin her husband in eternal rest.

Shirley personally requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Library for the Blind in Rocky Hill, Connecticut (198 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067).