It is with sadness we announce the passing of our Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma M Joyce Phelps. She was surrounded by her family where she passed on August 16th at Seven Oaks Hospital. She leaves her daughters Lori Lyn Mueller (husband Fred Mueller), Leanne Nault (husband Darryl Nault).  Her grandchildren Deanne Bergen (great grandchildren – McKenzie LaPlante & Jordan Bergen) and grandchildren Taylor Nault (her fiancé Aaron Dyck), Braydon Nault and Jayda Nault.

 

She grew up in Roland, Morris and moved to Winnipeg as an adult.  She attended Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate.  She taught for a few years in the city then started her family and was a stay-at-home Mom for a number of years.

 

She cherished the friendships she made working at The Bay Unicity (when it opened), Stats Canada and Sears.  She was always involved in volunteering at schools and their functions and the local Community club.  She spent a number of year volunteering on the Women’s Auxiliary at Orioles Community Club.

 

She wasn’t a knitter but she could whip up a mean baton costume. She would spend hours beading and sewing costumes for her girls. She had fond memories of the parades and trips we attended with baton.

 

She always enjoyed a good mystery to read, baking with her grandkids, and gameshows on tv.  She was a fan and loved to watch curling, the Jets and Bombers.  The last few years she looked forward to connecting with friends and family on her iPad (when she could remember her passwords - thank goodness for face recognition).  Grandma attended graduations, dance recitals, band recitals, bowling, hockey games, The Graduating Event, volleyball games and basically whatever event or sport the grandkids had on, Grandma was there.

 

Red Hat Society was another pastime for Mom.  She was a member of the Garnet Gloves and later on with the Crimson Classics where she served as Queen.  Dressing in her Red Hat and purple outfits was a highlight.  Her closet was full of purple and the hat boxes were topped with hats and scarves. She enjoyed going out for great conversations and a good dinner or convention with the Red Hat Ladies.

 

Mom’s strong will and determination   truly showed when her music choice for Her finale was “I Did It My way” by Frank Sinatra.  Kind of the way she lived her life too.   A heartfelt thank you to the MAID teams for their compassion and assisting her with her decision. Thank you to both units at Seven Oaks on the 5th floor Unit 4 & 7.  She constantly reminded us she didn’t want any tears and didn’t like funerals.  Her only request was for our immediate family to have a small “party” in her honor.

 

She was so very proud of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her last week she repeated this a number of times.  She said she was living long enough to see her last grandchild get their diploma which was achieved in May.  Any time she had a chance to brag about them she did.

 

She will be missed by many. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Fairview Cemetery in Roland Manitoba.