Elsie Phelps

“We can judge the heart of man by his treatment of animals” – Emmanuel Kant. Elsie’s love of animals illustrated her heart of gold. Her home was never complete without a cat or dog, but usually it was filled with four or five or each. A stray that crossed her path was no longer a stray. To say they were well fed was an understatement; her 40 pound pug could attest to that. Instilled with a sense of independence, there was no feat she was incapable of. At her home in Edgewater Park she tended to everything. She could grow just about anything in her garden, thought nothing of grabbing a hammer, nails and saw to built a fence for the yard and constructed a sandbox for the kids. She spoiled her family with her crafting skills. By sewing, crocheting and knitting she could make them clothes to Halloween costumes to anything in between. rnElsie met a young sailor named George while he was on leave in CT. Although the Navy always had him on the move, he always found a way to come visit her. It would not be long until their 58 year marriage would begin. Their lives would be blessed by their children: Carol Buzby (Robert) of Medford, Roy (Carol) of CA, Ruth Creamer (Richard) of Riverside, Susan Miller (Ralph) of Normalville, PA and the late Kent. Elsie loved to spoil her grandchildren: Melissa Leon-Guerrero (Ken), Sara Phelps and Robert Buzby, and is also survived by 2 great-grandchildren: Jordan and Elana.rnCome celebrate 78 great years Monday from 12:30 PM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, where the service will be at 2. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Samaritan Hospice Eves Drive, Marlton, NJ 08053.rn