Virginia Ann Hubbard Welling Stringham Phelps – 1932-2020
Virginia, age 87, passed from this life December 1, 2020. Virginia was born in Salt Lake City on December 10, 1932, to Julia Hubbard and Charles Welling. She had one older brother, C. Clark Welling (1926-1994), whom she adored, and many close cousins she considered siblings. She attended South High School in Salt Lake City, BYU briefly, then earned her degree in education at the University of Utah. Virginia was a disciple of Virginia Cutler at the Sterling Sill Living Center at the U of U, taking the art of homemaking to heart. She was a fantastic seamstress and knitter, making many of her own fabulous outfits over the decades, as well as Halloween costumes and home decor. As many will attest, she always looked like a million bucks.
A few things that were important to Virginia (and that she expected of her children) were good manners and etiquette, good posture, being teachable, and using good grammar…oh and do NOT drop the "g" from your verbs! She always said it was better to be beautiful on the inside than out. She had a natural talent for connecting with people. Her family will attest that she would talk to anyone and everyone she met and they all parted having been touched by her in some way, having shared a laugh and smile. She was so relatable and always curious.
Virginia lived in many choice places: Salt Lake City UT, Chicago IL, Medford OR, Seattle WA, Anchorage AK, Dallas TX and the past 34 years in Utah. She was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willingly served in many positions. Virginia loved to sing in the choir and had a lovely alto voice. She played the piano up until a couple years ago. One of her favorite callings was teaching early morning seminary in the Dallas 4th Ward. Her home was frequently the site of gathering for many of the teens, drawn by her ability to relate and provide sage advice with a good dose of questions to help them think through their challenges. Virginia was passionate about the need for kids to learn critical thinking and appreciated and embodied integrity and authenticity.
In August 1957, Virginia married the first love of her life, Stuart R. Stringham (1933-2007). What started as a blind date to Kingsbury Hall, a set-up concocted by Virginia's much-loved cousin Richard Keller, grew into a 50-year love affair. Together they shared their lives with three amazing children–Stephen, Gregory and Suzanne. Vacations revolved around fishing (Stu's favorite thing) and outdoor adventures in Alaska, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. She was a good sport on all those fishing trips, reading a book and taking naps in the sun.
A few years after Stu's passing, in 2011, Virginia married the second love of life, Rick L. Phelps. She always said she was the luckiest woman alive to love and be loved by not one but two remarkable men. Virginia and Rick enjoyed ten delightful years together. She learned to love eating breakfast, a first in her lifetime, due to Rick's sweet care. They shared travels to Nauvoo and the magnificent Oregon coast, spent time with family and friends, and spent countless hours engaged in conversation. Rick and Virginia served a mission together in the Orem/Lehi area. This was another of her most favorite church callings.
Virginia had many loves in her life, all things beautiful–flowers, music, art, clothes, food and scenery, particularly her beloved Wasatch mountains. She was a fantastic cook and rarely came across a recipe she did not want to try, sometimes to her family's chagrin. Virginia was a gifted and natural teacher—whether of elementary school children in Chicago, special education students at Eisenhower Junior High or the multitude of church callings she held. She was an avid reader, a life-long learner. She thoroughly enjoyed good conversation and loved to exchange ideas. She encouraged questioning the status quo and lively dialog at the dining table was cherished.
Virginia love to laugh and had a devious side and dry wit at times. She never met a flower she did not want in her yard and she gave the most incredible back scratches and foot rubs. She loved watching the news and the Today Show, reading Vanity Fair and the Church News. She was a well-rounded woman.
Virginia is survived by her loving husband, Rick, children–Stephen (Jennifer), Providence UT, Gregory, San Diego CA and Suzanne Harris, Austin TX, adoring grandchildren–Jackson and Cooper Harris, Savannah, Vanessa and Bryant Stringham, as well as Rick's children–Jim (Cammy), Kathy, Ron (Lisa), Julie (Ryan) and Bill (Shaunna) plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren on the Phelps side. They all made Nana's life happier and fuller. She leaves behind an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. She loved them all. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Clark, her first husband Stuart, and many other loved ones.
Heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Covington Assisted Living in Lehi and Bristol Hospice for providing compassionate care during the last year of Virginia's life. She so enjoyed all the wonderful people she met. Your gentle ministrations were greatly appreciated.
Virginia—loving wife, devoted mother, dedicated nana (one of her most favorite "jobs" of all time), beloved cousin, cherished friend to all—will be greatly missed.