Edith Blakeslee Phelps

PHELPS, Edith Blakeslee 91, of Natick, formerly of Wellesley, died on April 15. Mrs Phelps is survived and greatly missed by three daughters: Judith Felton and her husband John Felton of Boston, Lisa Phelps of Northborough, MA and Kate Phelps of Roxbury, by five grandchildren, Rebecca Felton Larkin of Springfield, VT, Frederic Felton of Boston, William Block of Chester Springs, PA, Edith Block of Revere, Erin Phelps-Alcorn of Guilderland, NY, and by two great-grandchildren: Amelia Larkin and Jack Block. Mrs. Phelps' husband, William G. Phelps died in 1971. Mrs. Phelps was born in Worcester, MA, the daughter of George H. Blakeslee and Edna Day Blakeslee. She graduated from Bancroft School and Smith College. As a part of a long career in education and social services, she taught at the Riverdale School in Riverdale, NY, the Pine Cobble School in Williamstown, MA and the Shepherd Knapp School in W. Boylston, MA. She served as Assistant Headmistress at Concord Academy in Concord, MA until 1963 when she became Principal of the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA. She served as President of the National Association of Independent Schools and Colleges. In 1974, Mrs. Phelps left academe to serve as National Executive Director of the Girls Clubs of America (now Girls Incorporated) in New York City. Between 1983 and 1988 she was the Administrative Director at the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Study Center for Gender, Education and Human Development, and then worked as an educational consultant to independent schools. In retirement, Mrs. Phelps worked as a LiteracyVolunteer.Mrs. Phelps was the author of many articles and of "No Turning Back: Milestones for Girls in the Twentieth Century" She was on the Board of Trustees of Smith College, Middlesex School and Brimmer and May School. Mrs. Phelps was the recipient of many honorary degrees and other awards in recognition of her advocacy for girls throughout her career. She will be remembered as someone with a thirst for knowledge, a passion for life, and an ability to make everyone around her feel interesting and important. She was a voracious reader, and a powerful tennis player. She loved the ocean.Mrs. Phelps was a member of the Village Church, 2 Central Street, Wellesley, 02482 where she served as a Deacon. A memorial service will be held at the church on Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, NORTHBOROUGH is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Edith B. Phelps Scholarship Fund at Dana Hall School, 45 Dana Road, Wellesley, MA 02482. For online condolences please visit: www.haysfuneralhome.com