Ann Phelps passed away peacefully on June 24, 2023 in McLean, VA at the age of ninety-one. She was born in West Roxbury, MA and was a long-time resident of Concord, MA. She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in the class of 1949 and was known as a top student with elegant penmanship. She then worked at Shawmut Bank in Boston where she met her future loving husband, Jim Phelps. She attended Boston College and worked at Putnam Investments until her first child was born. She then became a full-time homemaker and mother, roles at which she excelled.

Ann was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandma. She was an active volunteer in her daughters' schools, at her church, at Emerson Hospital and at The Concord Museum. She was a member of Milldames, Concord Newcomers and the Pineapple Corps. She was an avid reader of newspapers and books. She kept her daughters apprised of current events, human interest stories and enticing recipes by clipping articles and mailing them with motherly notes attached. She enjoyed being well-informed regarding world events and politics. She also liked reading blog posts from her former pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians and Holy Family parishes Father Austin Fleming, as well as newsletters from Reverend Kristin Rinehimer of Newbury Court. Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham was another of her favorite writers.

She loved the ocean, especially Humarock Beach in Scituate, MA and the beaches of Cape Cod. She shared fond memories of working in her uncle's drugstore starting at age twelve. She was in charge of the soda fountain and prepared frappes and sundaes for customers. Frappes were also something she enjoyed as part of her daily lunch at the drugstore. At the end of the work week, she would head to her grandmother's Humarock beach cottage where she looked forward to time with her grandmother, parents, siblings and many cousins. Later, she, her husband and daughters spent happy summers at their beach cottage on Cape Cod in Dennis, MA. She never missed an opportunity to enjoy the water and was often seen jumping in the waves. She packed a delicious picnic lunch and was always in the mood for clam chowder, a lobster roll or an ice cream cone. Her favorite flavor was mocha chip!

She was a fan of PBS television including Masterpiece Theater and Downton Abbey. Later in life she discovered and enjoyed The Hallmark Channel. She was an excellent cook who was known for her fabulous Toll House cookies. She was very social

and enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge group, painting ceramics and participating in group exercise classes.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, James Phelps; her daughter, Janet Phelps Heywood; her father, Daniel Hughes; her mother, Marion Macdonald Hughes; her brother, Lawrence Hughes; her sister, Celeste Miller (George) and her sister, Cathy Armstrong (William). She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Phelps York of Great Falls, VA and sons-in-law Charles York of Great Falls, VA and John Heywood of Washington, DC; grandchildren Christina, Jessica, Anika and Dominic; as well as many dear nieces, nephews and cousins. She was a cherished wife, mother and grandma who was devoted to her family and friends. She was caring and kind, putting others first. She was most content when surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A funeral Mass, burial and celebration of Ann's life will be held in Concord, Massachusetts in July.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.