Obituary of Gloria F. Phelps

GOUVERNEUR – Gloria F. Phelps, age 76, passed away on April 15, 2016 at the Gouverneur Hospital surrounded by the love of her family. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Her funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Hailesboro Cemetery. Gloria was born on December 17, 1939 in Gouverneur to the late Hilton and Clara (Sprague) Ferguson. She graduated from the Gouverneur Central School in 1958, studied at the Mater Dai College and received her Bachelor's degree from Empire State College in Saratoga Springs. She married Ronald Phelps on July 13, 1958 in the Gouverneur Methodist Church. Ronnie passed away on January 27, 1998. Gloria married Robert LaVack on October 31, 2007. Bob passed away on March 11, 2015. Gloria worked as the head cook at the Gouverneur Central School for 27 years. She was also a jewelry associate at the former Ames Department Store and after retirement was a substitute teacher for the Gouverneur Central School. She was a member of the Gouverneur Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Order of the Easter Star for many years. Gloria loved painting crafts and spending time involved with her family. Her survivors include her son, Howard and Beverly Phelps of Fowler; daughters, Kathryn and Eric Briggs of Gouverneur, Lynette and Arthur Besaw of Gouverneur; a brother, Gary Ferguson of Alaska, sister, Carol VanValkenburg of New Hampshire; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews and the Robert LaVack family, Cindy Edwards and Fred and Melanie LaVack. Donations in memory of Gloria may be made to the Gouverneur Hospital, Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center, the Gouverneur Methodist Church, or Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.