Stella Buckley Phelps

(February 1, 1912 - August 18, 2007)

Stella Eliza Buckley Phelps, 95, died Saturday, August 18, 2007. She was a strong, smart and resolute woman with a huge heart and a wonderful laugh. She had a tremendous life force that extended her years on earth far beyond the calculations of many medical professionals. She loved the world but most of all she loved her family. She had an extraordinary capacity for hope and for happy endings that even overwhelming odds could not diminish. She reserved the right to be herself and allowed others the same courtesy. She was deeply loved, admired and respected.

She leaves behind a great legacy of memories to those of us who must go on without her. Quite simply, she made the world a better place. She was the center of a devoted, large family in which she took enormous pride. Children were drawn to her throughout her life and many of them found comfort and solace in her arms.

Stella was a wonderful role model because of her resilience, courage, humor and even her stubbornness.

She had an unfailing and infallible faith in God and in her religion.

This adage epitomized her philosophy of life: "You can weep because rose bushes have thorns or you can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses."

Stella was born February 1, 1912, the first child of Charles Joseph and Millie Maw Buckley.

She married George A. Phelps after a courtship that centered around dancing at the old White City Dance Hall in Ogden. George died in 1972 but he lived on in her heart. Their marriage was later sealed for time and eternity in the LDS Temple. She loved talking about George after he died and she often remarked how much she looked forward to the day she would be with him again.

She worked for many years in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Primary president and in other organizations. She also volunteered for several years at the Deaf and Blind School.

Stella took her rights as a citizen to heart and she never failed to vote. She had strong opinions but she was not averse to changing her mind, if she could be persuaded that she was mistaken.

She was a lifelong reader and she was an excellent pinochle player.

She will be very missed by those who were lucky enough to know and love her. The world will be a bleaker place without her, but it is a comfort to imagine how welcomed she will be in her new heavenly home.

Stella is survive by her children, Ralph Charles Phelps, Oceanside, CA; Arlene (Charles) Edson, Clinton; Carma (Keith) Coleman, Ogden; Margaret (Dave) Vaughn, Riverdale; Mary (Gary) Humphreys, Ogden; and Pat (Jack) Singleton, Washington Terrace. She is survived by a progeny that extends to five generations.

She is also survived by two beloved sisters, Laura Christofferson, North Ogden; and Florence Moss, Ogden.

Interment, Lindquist's Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.