December 26, 2012

CALCIUM, N.Y.  —  Evelyn G. Phelps, 83, County Route 138, passed away Sunday evening, Dec. 23, at Hospice of Jefferson County at the Ellis Farm, Watertown.

Calling hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown. At the time of the calling hours, the family requests everyone bring a photo of Evelyn to share with the family. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, Sackets Harbor, will be at the convenience of the family.

Born June 12, 1929, in Watertown, a daughter of Raymond J. and Lily B. Schultz Guest Sherman, she graduated from Watertown High School and Watertown School of Commerce.

She married Nelson F. (Moe) Phelps on Dec. 18, 1948, in Sackets Harbor with Justice Iesac Stokes officiating and Mr. Phelps died in 1989.

Evelyn had worked in retail stores in the Syracuse area. She then worked for North Country Craft Gallery on Public Square, United Northern Federal Savings Bank, Fitzgerald Bros. Bus Co., now Freeman Bus Corp., and in the kitchen at the House of the Good Samaritan, now Samaritan Medical Center, all in Watertown.

She had attended Calcium Community Church. She was a member and past Matron in 1964 of Vida Chapter #342 Order of the Eastern Star, Sackets Harbor, member of Bethany Chapter #343 O. E. S., Black River, and was a member and past Matron in 1997 of Pisgah Chapter #164 O. E. S., Evans Mills. 

She was a past Royal Matron of Amaranth, member of White Shrine of Jerusalem, secretary of AARP, and member of Jefferson County Historical Society, Calcium Fire Dept. Auxiliary, and Cooperative Extension, and an associate member of Telephone Pioneers of America.

Evelyn was a life member of Samaritan Medical Center Auxiliary and she had volunteered at the information desk and in the gift shop for over 25 years. She was an avid crocheter and knitter, making preemie hats for the maternity ward, active in Hug-A-Bear for the emergency room and the police dept., and also knitted military helmet liners and did afghans for the Shriner's.

She volunteered transporting veterans for the V. A. and had been a Brownie leader. She was affiliated with Indian River Central School District PTA and was a member of Jefferson County Stroke Group.

Mrs. Phelps is survived by her six children, Karen R. and Orrin B. (Mac) MacMurray, Camden, Julia M. Vecchiarelli, Hoffman Estates, IL, Dora P. and Michael J. Bova, Watertown, John L. and Patricia Phelps, Watertown, David N. and M. Kathleen Phelps, Watertown, and Glenna M. Reed, Calcium; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, O. Geoffrey and Christine MacMurray, Camden and their children, O. Ethan and Samantha, Robert MacMurray, Cleveland, OH, and Kevin Phelps, Brownville; two brothers, James and JoAnn Sherman, Watertown and Clayton Sherman, Md.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

A grandson predeceased her.

Donations in her name may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., or SPCA of Jefferson County, 25056 Water St., both in Watertown, NY 13601. 

Condolences to the family may be made at http://www.cummingsfuneral. com.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown