Nancy Phelps

Danbury, NH -

Nancy Allen (Miniszek) Phelps

aka: Dr. Cooper, Dr. Phelps

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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Jul. 1, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Phelps

18 Entries

Stephanie Atwood

August 23, 2025

Nancy 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...

Mariel Plaeger-Brockway

July 18, 2025

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. Nancy, you will be missed. Myrl, you were her rock.

Charles Bud Bergmann

July 8, 2025

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 Bergmann
South Newfane, Vermont

I loved this picture of Nancy and Myrl.<br />

Nancy Phelps Hayward

July 6, 2025

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

Lovely memory

Jody Grablewski

July 6, 2025

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 .

Candy Chase-Skurnik

July 6, 2025

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.

George Stitt

July 5, 2025

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

Barbie & Ally Antonides

July 2, 2025

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.

Pamela (Mosher) Corrado

July 1, 2025

To Myrl and the family of Nancy,
Was saddened to learn of Nancy's passing. We shared some jr. and high school experiences together sharing the same home room through most of it. She was always ready to help others and did it with a smile. I was always so envious of her skiing ability. May she rest in peace now.

Diana Frye

July 1, 2025

Dear Nancy's family and friends here are a few more photos of Nancy's life "work" - hiking, laughing, being true to one's moment in the world.

Thank you Nancy for your many, many gifts, your great courage and steadfastness, and succinct wit - irreplaceable. Miss you so much! So very, very glad to have known you. xoxo forever, ~ Diana

Doug Hunt

July 1, 2025

I was so blessed to have the opportunity to see Nancy recently before her passing.

We hiked numerous times in NH and was on the trip with her to Mt Baker and a week hiking in Colorado. She will certainly be missed in our hiking community.

My thoughts and prayers are with Myrl, a very loving and devoted husband

Kevin Rooney

July 1, 2025

I am very sorry to hear of Nancy's passing. I've known her for many years thru hiking and also as a hike leader for the NH AMC Chapter. She will be missed.

Steve Pitman

July 1, 2025

Thinking of you Myrl and reflecting on our last visit when we met at the store in Andover. May you be surrounded by family, friends and wonderful memories to help you. Until I see you again, peace! Steve

Kelly Fletcher

June 30, 2025

So sorry, I enjoyed working with her at CMRC. Fascinating woman to talk with.

Beth Chaisson

June 30, 2025

I’m so sad to hear of Nancy’s passing. She had such a beautiful soul, big heart, great courage and quiet strength. I will miss her. My condolences to Myrl and both of their families.

Steve Waller

June 29, 2025

Thanks for enhancing our lives with your sole, your music, your enthusiasm, your hiking. Sang Joni Mitchell’s songs better than Joni did. We will miss you but never forget you.

DONNA BRIGLEY

June 29, 2025

I'm so sorry to hear of Nancy's passing. She was a delightful woman who shared many hikes with me over the years when we were much younger. May she rest in peace. My condolences to Myrl and her family.

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