In Memory of Martha Phelps

Martha Mabel Phelps, 87, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on December 20th, surrounded by family, at Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Vero Beach, FL.  Martha is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Phelps, sons Randy Phelps and Joel Phelps, daughter in law Daymion Phelps, grandchildren: Grant Phelps, Heather Agraviador, and Izzy Phelps, great grandson, Liel Sims, and her brother, Jonathan Baker.

Martha is preceded in death by her beloved Husband, Arland Phelps (d. 2017) and her brother, David Baker (d. 2016).

Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, and the daughter of Doris and Merle Baker, Martha graduated Cornell College in 1959. She went on to become a 5th grade English teacher in Germany, where she eventually met her future husband, Arland. They were married in 1963 in Aschaffenburg, Germany. Up until Arland's retirement from Ford Motor Company, Martha and Arland's life together spanned 30 years and 2 countries, from Milwaukee to London to Detroit, and so many other stops in between.

Upon Arland's retirement in 1997, Martha and Arland moved to Vero Beach to enjoy sunny Florida, and sail their boat, Voyager.  Since 2005, Martha had been a treasured Docent at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. A compassionate volunteer, she served on the board of her living community, The Brennity of Vero Beach, and chaired their hourly employee Christmas fund for the past three years.

Martha will be remembered dearly for her enjoyment of travelling the world, nurturing her orchids and tending to her garden, as a voracious reader and custodian of the arts, and as a loving spouse, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the VNA & Hospice Foundation. https://foundation.vnatc.com/memorials-and-honorariums/

There will be a Celebration of Life for Martha, reserved for family and friends, on Saturday, February 8th at 2 pm at The Brennity of Vero Beach Clubhouse.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Martha's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.