Photo courtesy of Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC - New London
New London, New Hampshire
1951 - 2025
Nancy Allen (Miniszek) Phelps
aka: Dr. Cooper, Dr. Phelps
Danbury, NH-Nancy Allen (Miniszek) Phelps, 73, of School Pond Road, died Saturday, June 28, 2025 at her home.
She was born and raised in Brattleboro, VT the daughter of the late Dr. James H. and Laura Sims Miniszek. Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Myrl Phelps of Danbury, NH and his large family; a stepson, Jamie Gness (Jennifer Berkley Schofield) and a granddaughter, June of Bow, NH; two sisters, Jane Weingarten of Denver, CO and Sally (Ernest) Babcock of Freeport, ME; four nephews, Jed and James Weingarten and Josiah and Samuel Babcock and two nieces, Alena Jule and Danijela Allen. She is predeceased by a sister, Ann Jule.
Dr. Phelps earned her BA in Psychology at Wellesley College, her MA in Experimental Psychology at Columbia University and her PhD at Virginia Tech. She published two professional papers relevant to the populations she served at the time. One regarding the prevalence of Alzheimer Disease among Down Syndrome people (Miniszek, 1983) and the second based on her dissertation study with Vietnam Veterans of a treatment for PTSD (Cooper and Clum, 1989).
Nancy loved the mountains and was an avid hiker and climber, especially in the White Mountains. Due to complications with her immune system, her abilities were sometimes limited, particularly in later years. Nonetheless, she was an AMC NH Chapter trip leader for a decade and hiked 4,000 foot peaks in NH roughly 1500 times. She also had the opportunity to climb Mts. Baker and Rainier in Washington State, Mt. Whitney in California (twice), the Grand Teton and Teewinot in Wyoming and a few "14-ers" in Colorado. She also enjoyed rock climbing, especially NH treasures such as the Whitney-Gilman Route on Cannon Cliff, Cathedral Ledge and the Eaglet.
Along with her love of mountains, Nancy loved flowers, especially wild ones. She painted them and worked them into some of her knitting. One of her biggest knitting projects was to knit afghans or blankets for each of her sisters and brothers-in-law. Since Myrl was one of eleven children and two were deceased when she began working toward this goal, there were eight to finish. She hoped to accomplish the goal before this obituary needed to be published! She had a wonderful life and was very grateful for her good fortune, adventures and loved ones.
Read MoreNancy and I met at Outward Bound. She was strong and had a great sense of humor. Later we hiked a major part of the Pacifici Crest Trail together in the early 70's. We touched base once in a while after that. I knew she had health issues but never suspected she would pass on. I will miss her because she and I were kindred spirits. Our love of the mountains kept us together always...
Stephanie Atwood
August 23, 2025 | Friend
I first met Nancy when we were in the same Outward Bound "patrol" in Oregon on the first ever girls' course. I was 17 and Nancy was 18. She was a strong young woman, both as an athlete and as a leader. I admired her immensely. We kept in contact over the years and Jill Ward (also in the same Outward Bound group) and I visited Nancy and Myrl before covid and early into her struggle with her autoimmune disease. Despite how unfair this disease was, Nancy never complained and was always upbeat....
Mariel Plaeger-Brockway
July 18, 2025 | Friend
Nancy was a good lady. We climbed Mt Washington together and later when she visited Washington State we went up a few Cascade peaks including Mt. Snoqualmie and Mt. Stuart, then drove to Tonasquet to visit my friend John Mason. A year later John and I agreed to meet Nancy on top of Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, she coming from the east side and John and I from the west. It was a good reunion at the top. Nancy was a very vibrant and strong person who I was privileged to know. Charles Bud...
Charles Bud Bergmann
July 08, 2025 | Friend
I loved this picture of Nancy and Myrl.
I remember meeting Nancy for the first trip at my cousins 50th birthday party. I liked her right away. I couldn't forget her first name or later her last name, told me I was her name sake. She was a very nice person and I enjoyed talking to her, when i got to see her. She would come to talk to me when ever she saw me.
Sorry for families loss.
Nancy Phelps Hayward
Nancy Phelps Hayward
July 06, 2025 | Hooksett, NH | Family
Lovely memory
August 5,2017 met Nancy for
the first time, at a family party.. she was so warm and friendly, beautiful and vibrant. I was so happy for Myrl, that he met his soul mate .
Jody Grablewski
July 06, 2025 | Friend
I met Nancy after reconnecting with Myrl. My classmate from high school. My sister, Gwen Hackett, and I, fell in love with her immediately. Her zest for life. Her quick wit. Her yummy bread. The story of your wedding was perfect. I knew then that I would like her, and her adventurous spirit. I truly saddened that she has left us. Myrl, you have our deepest sympathy.
Candy Chase-Skurnik
July 06, 2025 | Ocoee, FL | Friend
Remembered By
Candy Chase-Skurnik
July 06, 2025 | Ocoee, FL | Friend
Dear Myrl and Family,
Our condolences on the passing of Nancy, She was a remarkable woman and will surely be missed.
May she rest in peace.
The Stitt Family
George Stitt
July 05, 2025 | Danbury, NH | Family
It's always sad when someone you know passes away from disease, not being allowed to live a full & long life. Nancy was a beautiful person & will be greatly missed by all her had the pleasure of knowing her. Farewell, Nancy.... Myrl, you're in our thoughts & prayers.
Barbie & Ally Antonides
July 02, 2025 | Danbury, NH | Friend
