Betty Rose (Sibley) Phelps

PHELPS- Betty Rose (nee Sibley)
Surrounded by love, laughter and tears, Betty Rose Phelps (nee Sibley) slipped quietly away from pancreatic cancer on May 12 at her home on Beachville Road. Born July 28, 1936, Betty was the surprise fourth child of Ern and Rose Sibley of Woodstock, joining her three brothers when her parents were both in their 40’s. Growing up Betty was the “pet” of the east end where her father owned and operated Sibley’s Meat Market, a business that would be taken over by her brothers, Betty often working behind the counter herself.  Leaving school after completing grade 9, Betty started her working career at the Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator.  A blind date in 1951 led Betty to the love of her life, telling her best friend at the end of the evening, that she had met the man she was going to marry.  The attraction was mutual and on September 29, 1954 she wed Louis (Lou) Edward Phelps at Dundas Street United Church.  Betty, the city girl, moved to the family farm and began a fifty year marriage. Betty left the workforce with the birth of her first child, Sharon Louise (Sherri) in 1956, followed by Wendy Marie 1961, Patricia Jane 1965 and David Charles 1968. Devoted to her family, who returned that devotion, Betty became a willing partner in Lou’s hobbies of antique car touring and snowmobiling, while she talked Lou into taking up square dancing.  They joined the Y Promenaders of the Woodstock YMCA, where Betty became the club’s first female president. Dancing was a passion they shared and you could often find them dancing around the kitchen at any time of the day or night.  A stay-at-home mom, Betty volunteered as a school chaperone on countless school trips, tied endless pairs of skates on school skating day and produced 100’s of popcorn balls each year for her children’s class Halloween parties. When her youngest was in senior public school, Betty returned to work, becoming a pager dispatcher at Oxford Communications, where she worked until her retirement.  Known for her love of a good joke and her smile, Betty made numerous friends in the many clubs and organizations to which she belonged.  Betty is predeceased by her parents Ernest and Rose Sibley, her beloved husband Lou and her brothers and sisters-in-law; Bill and Hughian Sibley, Don and Doris Sibley and Doug and Marion Sibley.  Also predeceased by her brothers and sisters in-law; Bill and Clara (Phelps) Yates, Bob and Joan Phelps, Allen Benson and Bill Phelps. Betty is survived by her brother-in-law George Phelps and his wife Barb and sisters-in-law Betty Benson and Jean Phelps.  Betty is survived by her children; Sherri (Phelps) and Ted Comer, Wendy Phelps and partner Harry Pressey, Patricia Phelps, David and Connie Phelps; her grandchildren Rebecca (Comer) and Jeremy Duran, Nathan and Somerleigh Lasko Comer, Courtney Phelps and Jessica Phelps and her great-grandchildren Emma Duran and Luke Duran.  Also survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  A party in celebration of Betty’s life will be held once the Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings have been lifted.  The family wishes to thank the Personal Support Workers and Palliative team who helped Betty through these last few weeks.  Mom, grandma, grammie, we loved you as deeply as you loved us.  We will miss you, but take comfort in the knowledge that you and dad are dancing together once again.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Brock & Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave. Woodstock (519-539-0004). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Annandale House Trust (Annandale National Historic Site) or a charity of your choice.   Online viewing or memories may be shared at www.brockandvisser.com