WESTBROOK – Mary Frances (McIntee) Phelan, 80, beloved wife of Paul H. Phelan, passed away April 23, 2007, at Maine Medical Center, after a long illness. She was born July 22, 1926, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the daughter of Esther Cecilia McIntee. She grew up in St. Stephen and Milltown, New Brunswick and Brunswick. She was educated in the schools of Milltown, New Brunswick and as a young woman was employed by Ganong’s Chocolates, St. Stephen, New Brunswick and Canadian Cottons, Limited, Milltown, New Brunswick, before making Calais her post-marriage home with Paul, and then beginning her lifetime career, 59 years as wife, mother and homemaker. Mrs. Phelan was a great admirer of animals, particularly the cats and dogs which became her household pets. Throughout her adult life she made it a point to visit local area horse farms and other places such as Westbrook’s Riverside Park and St. Croix Park, when she resided in Calais and Baileyville, where she greatly and regularly enjoyed feeding the ducks and birds. Despite years of poor health and several hospitalizations, Mrs. Phelan maintained a sunny disposition and ever enjoyed the companionship of her husband, family members and close friends. Special favorites, among the latter group, were the good folks who brought her the Blessed Sacrament week after week. Husband, Paul will always remember Frances as a saintly woman indeed, never once in our six decades together did she speak ill of, or make fun of another human being and for that alone, she has to be among God’s favorite children, as His testament to her character. Daughter, Terry fondly recalls her mother’s genuine appreciation of the smallest of favors, her love of flowers and the little things of life, that brought her peace and comfort, rather than earthly possessions. Survivors, in addition to her husband, are a daughter, Theresa “Terry” Walch and her husband, Dennis, of Westbrook; four grandchildren, Rachel Landry McNally of Dania Beach, Fla., Jennifer Walch Bouvier and her husband, Joseph, of South Pasadena, Calif., Elizabeth “Libby” Walch of Brunswick and Brian Walch and his wife, Jeanine, of Middletown, N.J.; four great-grandchildren, Leah McNally of Topsham, Michaela McNally of Dania Beach, Fla., and Allison and Jenna Rose of Middletown, N.J.; two brothers, Joseph Gray and his wife, Barbara, of Brunswick and James E. Gray of South Boston; brother-in-law, Edward S. Phelan and his wife, Rita, of Watertown, Mass; sisters-in-law, Jean Cavanagh and her husband, Robert, of Manchester, N.H., and Lois Downing of Houlton; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. The Phelan and Walch families wish to commend the angels of mercy, who so skillfully and tenderly cared for Frances at both Maine Medical Center and Westbrook’s Springbrook Center and remind all to be thankful that such loving, gracious and capable people are still attracted to the noblest of professions. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Blais and Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Memorial donations may be made to the Westbrook Animal Refuge League, 449 Stroudwater St., Westbrook, ME 04092.
MARY FRANCES (MCINTEE) PHELAN
