Virginia Phelps “Tommy” Clancy

Mrs. Virginia Phelps “Tommy” Clancy passed away peacefully in her Raleigh home on March 31, 2015 in the company of her children and grandchildren who loved her dearly and will miss her warm laugh and sharp mind. She lived 96 full years, from her birth in Steubenville, Ohio on December 3, 1918 into our greatest generation. In her departure, she joins her parents, Joel Howd and Sara Turner Phelps, brother Joel (“Bud”) Howd Jr., and sisters Dorothy (“Dot”) Gull and Marjorie (“Madge”) Kampenga. Her sister Madge recently passed away in July of 2014 at age 97.

Virginia and her beloved husband Ernest Irving Clancy (who passed away in 2000) are survived by their children Tim (and Carroll) Clancy, Tick Clancy, Judy (and Warren) Sturm, Todd (and Maria) Clancy, and Jinny Clancy. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren; Brian (and Belinda) Sturm, Evan (and Lauren) Sturm, Brett (and Hannah) Sturm, Shannon (and Brandon) Suarez, Tommy Clancy, Teddy (and Michelle) Clancy, Marion (and Laurie) Yates-Schiff, Drew (and Kate) Clancy, and Coe (and Mary Katherine) Clancy. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, two of whom will be born in April and May of 2015. She is further survived by nieces Sara (and Dennis) Klawitter, Janet (and Norman) Baxter, Marilyn (and Will) Taggart, Jackie Heron, Georgia (and Thomas) Marcuard, and nephews Evan (and Flossie) Gull, Tom (and Margaret) Gull, and J.C. Jr. (and Lydia) Theys.

Virginia and her brother and sisters grew up in a family devoted to music and were all accomplished musicians. She attended Oberlin College and obtained an undergraduate degree in voice at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Masters education in piano at the Eastman School of Music. She lived in New York City during part of the World War II years, working as a volunteer nurse aide with her sister Madge. In 1946 she moved to Raleigh, following in the footsteps of her sister Dot to teach piano to Peace college students. There she met her future husband Irving (“Clancy”) and became the devoted mother of five children who are forever grateful for the parents they were so fortunate to have.

Virginia continued to accompany voice students, and was especially skilled in this capacity due to her exceptional knowledge, sight reading skills, and deep musicality. She became the first accompanist for the Grassroots Opera. But it is her fierce devotion as a mother and grandmother that remains a lasting legacy.

Though she has earned her long rest, we miss her terribly. We are forever grateful to Kim Vasquez, Armesia Blanks, Niticha Harris, Samantha Crawford, and Jean Coley, who provided such warm, loving care to Virginia as her health declined.

Memorial services will be held at Saint Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church (5801 Falls of Neuse Road) at 1 pm on Tuesday, April 7. Visitation will follow service in the atrium. Charitable gifts may be made to the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester, N.Y.). A private burial will take place at Raleigh Memorial Park. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynnemillbrook.com