Jeanette K. Phelps

AUBURN – Jeanette K. (Bermingham) Phelps, 87, passed away on Aug. 20, 2023, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn.

She was born Oct. 20, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Jeanette (Kalowes) and Daniel Bermingham. She graduated from Jamaica Plains High School in 1953. She joined the Airforce in 1957. This was where she met her husband Harold. They were married Sept. 26, 1959.

Jeanette enjoyed her years working at Roaks Greenhouses in Auburn. She truly had a “green thumb” and could grow anything. She stayed in touch with her best friend from kindergarten, Loretta, as they spoke on the phone several times a week. Loretta said Jeanette was always a tomboy, and that she had a lot of spunk!

Jeanette always had a stupid joke to tell anyone who would listen. For more than the past 10 years, she loved going out to lunch on Sunday with Chris and Phil. Mondays were lunch with Andrew and Adam. We will sure miss going to lunch with “Gram.” She shared the “never ending” silly text messages with Sophie and Ben, as she would always complain that they “never went through,” but they always did. She also enjoyed going to the Seniors meetings with her niece Paula where she loved winning in Bingo. She loved to gamble.

Sadly she was not able to attend Sophie and Ben’s wedding on Aug. 12, 2023; but was able to attend the bridal shower in June at the Muddy Rudder restaurant in Yarmouth, where Sophie presented her with a beautiful pearl bracelet, while she was the center of attention.

She is survived by her daughter Christine and husband Philip Geelhoed of Poland. Her grandson Andrew and his partner Adam Berard of Auburn. Her granddaughter Sophia and husband Dr. Ben Caesar of Portland. She is also survived by her brother Daniel Bermingham and wife Rita of Cape Cod; and sister Peggy Forte of Venus, Fla.; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Major Harold A. Phelps, Jr in August of 2016, his sister Lucy Cowles and his brothers Paul Yorkston, Allen York and Felix Yurkstus.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the Androscoggin Hospice House for the loving care she received while she was there, the staff from First Light, especially Sandy, for her weekly help, and the staff at Western Maine Transportation, for keeping her independent for all these years.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family on Jeanette’s memorial page at http://www.albert-burpee.com

Her ashes will be placed alongside Harold’s in their niche, at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta (Blue Star Avenue) on Monday Oct. 23, 2023, at 12 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services 253 Pine St. Lewiston, 782-7201.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jeanette’s memory to the Androscoggin Home care & Hospice House, 15 Strawberry Avenue,

Lewiston, ME 04240. 

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