Lois Phelps

Lois May Higgs Phelps, died in Redding, Connecticut surrounded by her family on April 29, 2012 of a stroke at the age of 84.

Lois was born in Sacramento, California on May 21, 1927 to Raymond Fred Higgs and Vera Gene Chessman. She attended Sacramento High School where she met her life-long sweetheart, Pharo Alfred Phelps, "PAP." Married 54 years, they created a family of unbreakable bonds and helped each of their children find and grow their own passions.

Lois graduated from San Jose State University in 1950 with a B.A. in Library Science and in 1982 completed a M.A. Degree in Career Counseling at John F Kennedy University in Orinda, California. She was a mother, librarian, credentialed teacher, and board certified career counselor. In 1982, Lois founded Career Quest, a private practice to help women re-enter the workforce after raising their families. Lois also worked and volunteered for many worthy organizations, including Alumnae Resources, YWCA, The Wellness Community, Moraga Library, and was Board Chairwoman for Re-EntryServices in California.

Lois devoted much of her life to raising her 4 children, as PAP's U.S. Navy and engineering career took them around the world. They lived in New York, Guam, California, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, England, Spain, Kuwait, and Turkey. She frequently served as the unofficial leader for women associated with PAP's work. For example, when PAP was the commander of Seabee Battalion 8, she helped the wives with many challenges while their husbands were in Vietnam.

Lois was an officer of the Sigma Kappa Sorority, and active in ROTC in her school days. She was a collector of art, old prints, and brass-rubbings. She played piano, loved travel, bird watching, cultivating roses, hiking and camping. To enable local immersion in their many international assignments, Lois studied Spanish, Turkish, and Arabic.

Lois is survived by 3 children and their spouses: Andrew and Barbara Phelps of Santiago, Chile, John and Rachel Phelps of Los Altos, California, and Dr. Jennifer Phelps and Dr. Frank Hermantin of Redding, Connecticut; 9 grandchildren: Dr. Edward Phelps, Michael, Marina, Sonnet, Hannah, Isabella, Olivia, Sebastian and Pharo Thomas; and sister Betty Gene Higgs Muck of La Jolla, CA. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Pharo Alfred in 2004 and eldest son, Pharo Thomas in 1999.

The family will hold a memorial service and inurnment along side PAP in Annapolis, MD at the U.S. Naval Academy, and suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to The Wellness Community, a charitable concern providing help and comfort to those affected by cancer. Donations may be sent to 3276 McNutt Ave. Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

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