Norma Phelps

Norma Ritz Phelps, 89, died peacefully, surrounded by her children, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital on her beloved husband Ned’s birthday, March 9, 2018. She lived in Wayzata, MN for over sixty years.  She is preceded in death by her husband E. J. “Ned” Phelps Jr, parents Evelyn Herron Ritz & Charles Ritz, and brother Gordon Ritz.

Norma was born in Montreal, Quebec on August 1, 1928 where she then attended Roslyn Elementary School in Montreal’s Westmount neighborhood.  At age 9, she and her family moved to Minneapolis at which time she joined the 4 ^th grade at Kenwood Elementary School. She graduated from Northrop Collegiate School in 1946 and Connecticut College in 1950. Norma worked during her college summers at the First National Bank of Minneapolis, now US Bank. Upon graduation from Connecticut College, Norma attended the Katharine Gibbs School in Melville, NY where she worked for the school’s Vice President. She left her job in 1953 to attend Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Upon her return from London, Norma accepted a new position in the bank’s credit department. She also joined the Junior League of Minneapolis at that time. Norma was active on a number of non-profit boards including the Friends of the Institute, the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Red Cross, Highcroft Country Day School, the United Way of Minneapolis, and Stevens Square. She also served as Treasurer of The Garden Club of America. Norma was an accomplished gardener and alpine skier who enjoyed needlepointing beautiful creations for her family and friends.

Norma is survived by her children and grandchildren: Charles Phelps (Jennifer), David Phelps (Ellen), and Elizabeth Phelps Borrelli (Nicholas), grandchildren Henry and Duncan Phelps, William, Emily, and Benjamin Phelps, Nicholas and Christian Borrelli, and sisters-in-law Marcella Phelps Chute and Ruth Phelps Catlin.

Norma’s life will be celebrated on April 21, 2018 at 2:00pm , at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55408 . Her children extend their most sincere gratitude to Norma’s primary caregiver of seven years, Cerelia (Cece) Nyonteh, her nurse Lonnie Mullinger, and all of her Baywood Home Care caregivers. The attentiveness provided to Norma from the staff at Abbott Northwestern Hospital was second to none and made her final days very comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Norma’s name to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318 ; arboretum.umn.edu