Jeraldine Phelps Obituary

Jeraldine Elizabeth (Denton) Phelps, 85, of Wolcott, died peacefully on May 16th, 2024, at The Manor in Morrisville, with her son by her side.

Jeraldine, known to her friends and family as "Jerry," was born on December 22, 1938 on the family farm in Craftsbury to William Henry and Noma Lowell Denton. As a child, Jerry walked many miles up and down Denton Hill to the one room schoolhouse at the bottom of the hill.  She was a graduate of the Craftsbury Academy Class of 1956.  In January 1956, she met the love of her life, John F. Phelps Jr., who was then a junior at Peoples Academy.   After graduation, she attended Johnson State College for one year and worked as a waitress at Paine’s Restaurant, alongside her friend, Carol Paine.  John graduated and joined the Air Force in October 1957 where he was soon stationed in Korea.  Their relationship endured a three year wait, corresponding with daily love letters and pictures.  Upon John’s return home for Christmas, the two of them were married on January 12th, 1960, moving to Great Falls, Montana to live on base for one more year.  While there, Jerry worked as an IBM key punch operator.

In 1961, John left the Air Force and they moved back to Vermont living in various towns until they finally purchased land and built their forever home in Wolcott where she worked as full-time stay-at-home mom and wife. She loved every minute of caring for her husband and their two children along with various dogs, cats and horses.  Becoming a grandmother was the highlight of Jerry’s life.  She would drop everything to spend time with her grandchildren and hear about their adventures.  Becoming a great grandparent was an extra special gift she treasured deeply.  

In April 1975, Jerry’s love for animals brought her back to her youth.  As she was determined not to strain the family budget, she began working at home, sewing Moriarty hats and sweaters in order to purchase her beloved, Brandy, a four-year old Palomino gelding.  They spent countless hours together training for Western horse life, and 28 years riding the trails and backroads of Wolcott and Craftsbury. Jerry was an active member of the Bailey Hazen Horse Club.  She and Brandy, with husband and kids, participated in multiple 100-mile Cross State Trail Rides.  The members of her horse community became her second family.  

Over the years, Jerry’s work life also included making hundreds of wreaths and garland for Burlington floral shops, working side by side with John as janitors at the Wolcott Elementary School for three years and cleaning private homes for several Stowe residents after that.  She was not afraid of hard work.

Being a lady firefighter for the Wolcott Fire Department, alongside her best friend, Ruth Fleming, was one her proudest accomplishments. She was a member of the department from 1983-1993.

Jerry also enjoyed many camping trips with her husband, brother and sister-in-law, snowmobile ride-ins across Vermont, Saturday night dancing at Silver Ridge, playing cards with friends, scrapbooking and quilting with her daughter and daily car rides with John, stopping at McDonald’s for their coffee break.

The sixty-four year love story that Jerry shared with John, and her love and devotion to her family serves as a shining example to all who knew her.  She will be deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by her husband, John; children, Jane Paine and husband, Brent; Jordon Phelps and partner, Tori Faye; grandchildren, Lauren Paine and fiancé, Vince Brown; Jordon M Phelps; Zachary Phelps and partner, Molly Mosley; Kailey and Cecil Mayo; great grandchildren, Nila Brown, Paxton Brown, Ryder Phelps and Arden Mosley; brother, William C. Denton and wife, Priscilla; nephews, Dwight Denton and wife, Laura; Michael Denton and wife, Brenda; nieces, Marcia Daniels and husband, Tony; Claire Denton; and many great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the Branch Cemetery in Craftsbury on Saturday, June 1st at 2pm. An informal celebration will follow at Bill & Priscilla’s home on Denton Hill. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com.