Michelle Lynn Phelan

Albuquerque, NM – Michelle Lynn Phelan, 44, made her peaceful journey home to the Lord on Friday January 25, 2013 at her residence after a sudden illness. Michelle was born in Albany on October 9, 1968 the oldest child of David and Jeanette Bilobran Phelan. She was a loving and lively spirited child. She attended local schools and was a 1986 graduate from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1990 and continued her pursuit of education receiving her Master's Degree in French from SUNY Binghamton in 1992. She spent a semester abroad in France, where she loved the language and culture.
After graduation she relocated to France for two years, teaching English in French schools. She brought her love of all things French home to the U.S. and took great pride in developing her students both inside and outside the classroom during her more than 20 years of experience teaching French in school systems from New Jersey to North Carolina to New Mexico.
Michelle loved traveling and experiencing new adventures, and she was the ultimate organizer of social gatherings and family events.
She is survived by her devoted parents, David and Jeanette Bilobran Phelan; loving brothers, Mark Phelan, of Washington DC, Kevin Phelan, of College Park, MD and Gregory Phelan, of Alexandria, VA; as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Michelle had a large collection of close friends from various parts of her life, and she loved bringing people together. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and she was always the first one there for friends and family during times of need.
Services will be held beginning Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, Union at N. Jay Street, and will proceed to St. Anthony's Church, 331 Seward Place, where a Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home Thursday between 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Michelle also was an active advocate to advance research and awareness for the treatment of Dystonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Michelle's memory to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, 1 Wacker Drive, Suite 2810, Chicago, IL 60601.
Her family would appreciate shared memories from Michelle's many friends via the tribute page at www.tributes.com/