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Mary T. Phelan, 82, a resident of Albuquerque since 1960, passed away on January 29, 2011 after a lengthy, eight-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Despite her disease, she remained highly involved with many varied activities that provided valuable, needed service and instruction in the Albuquerque community. She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Pete Phelan, who passed away in 1985. She is survived by her daughter Sharon and husband Charles; son John; grandson Andrew and wife Mollie; and granddaughter Kate and fiance Teddy. Mary was born in Rochester, New York on July 24, 1928 to James and Elizabeth Ryan. The second of nine children, Mary led a life of intellectual curiosity and singular achievement. She was the first woman to graduate from the U.S. Navy's Electronics Program, finishing first in her class. She used this training to work at White Sands, NM in the early 1950's, where she met her husband, Pete. Mary graduated from UNM in 1974 with a bachelor's degree. Together with her friend of 30 years, Bill Thompson, she started a computer consulting firm. She was a founding member and past president of the NM Computer Society and a charter member of the Coalition for Excellence in Science and Math. A lifelong learner and teacher, Mary was a longtime computer instructor at the Palo Duro Senior Center. She was a founding member of both the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Tuesday Morning Angels, a group dedicated to creating unique, handcrafted quilts for patients in newborn ICUs and hospice. A lifetime member of Weight Watchers, she served as an instructor with the program while managing a Russell Stover store in downtown Albuquerque and raising her two devoted children. She worked as a docent at the NM Natural History Museum, volunteered for UNICEF and was a member of the Friendly Philosophers and Mensa. An independent renaissance woman before her time, Mary loved new ideas, politics, puzzles, games, words and computers. Always energetic and inquisitive, she enjoyed the arts, crafts and travel. Mary died peacefully at home with her children at her side. She was a loving, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. After a long separation, Mary and her beloved husband, Pete, are together again. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to a charity of your choice in Mary's name. To leave condolences or special memories please visit our online guestbook at www.RememberTheirStory.com. A memorial will be held. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."- t. campbell. French 10500 Lomas Blvd., NE (505) 275-3500.
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