Gayle M. Phelan (68) passed away on September 9, 2022 at Maine Medical Center following an
unexpected series of medical events. Daughter of James R. Phelan and Elizabeth A. (Schellinger) Phelan.
Gayle was born in Detroit, Michigan. She lived in almost all regions of the United States at some point in her life and settled down in New England upon retirement. She attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and spent most of her career working in various quality control positions within the pharmaceutical industry.
But the “job” that she treasured the most was mother. She selflessly devoted her life to ensuring that her daughter, Erin, had the best education and opportunities. She saved and raised money however she could to ensure that her daughter had a comfortable home, quality schooling, everything she needed to support her passion for dance, and the means to attain a higher education. She was well-liked by the neighborhood, school, and dance studio children and many would call her their second mom.
She constantly volunteered to bake, sew, paint, chaperone, make costumes, manage backstage, curl hair, drive a carful of loud teenagers, sell tickets, set up, clean up, donate time and money, whatever was needed of her family, her church, and her community- always with a smile and without a complaint. She loved her family very much and had a very close relationship with her parents.
Gayle loved spending time with her grandchildren including anything from playing board games to going to the movies, mini-golf, or the beach to attending their sporting events. She also loved to snuggle with her dog, Peanut Butter, while they watched cooking competitions and home improvement shows. She enjoyed many crafts, especially counted cross stitch and crochet, and she developed a love of cake decorating and pinata fabricating after Erin impulsively volunteered her for the craziest projects.
She practiced Catholicism throughout her whole life and promoted religious values in her daughter and grandchildren through education, church participation, and receiving of the sacraments.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Matt Noyes, and her three grandchildren, Caleb, Tyler, and Bailey Noyes of Waterboro, Maine. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Terry and Randy Konsko, sisters Diane Yeomans and Colleen Phelan, as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nephews.
A Catholic mass will be held on November 4, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church followed immediately by a burial service at St. Joseph New Cemetery in Winsted, Connecticut.
Online tributes and condolences may be shared at Gayle’s Book of Memories at ww.bibbersautumngreen.com
Any donations can be made in her honor to the national ASPCA organization or to 3 Dogs Rescue of Berwick, Maine.
Arrangements are being coordinated by her daughter and Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak Street, in Alfred, Maine.