Mary "Michele" (Phelan) Hunter

Mary Michele (nee Phelan) Hunter, 80, a proud resident of Springfield Delaware County, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 after a long battle with heart disease. She was the adored wife of Robert William “Bill” Hunter. The couple married in St. Andrews Church in Philadelphia on March 17, 1972. Their marriage was co-officiated by Pastor David Alderfer and Father Thomas Mahoney, who at the time was Treasurer of Villanova University.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 30th, 1942, Michele was the daughter of the late Matthew Anthony and Helen Virginia “Virge” (nee Dodd) Phelan. Michele graduated from Holy Child Academy of Sharon Hill in June of 1960. She went on to the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing  (PGH) where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1963. Following several years of nursing and because of her skill set as an RN, she was selected for the prestigious Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. At that time, Michele was running the Maternal Infant Care Program for Crozer Hospital and her superiors selected her for the advanced degree program. Later, she earned her degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Massachusetts General Hospital in June of 1971. Michele was the first Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) in Delaware County, PA and worked in private practice for several years.

Michele was employed with Philadelphia General Hospital for three years before working the Emergency Department at Atlantic City General Hospital for four years. She then began work as the Head of the Maternal Infant Care Program with Crozer Hospital and continued in private practice for several years. She became a Department Head with Misericordia Hospital and stayed in that position for five years before joining Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park as a Department Head for 12 years. Later in life Michele went into insurance and dabbled in real estate rounding out her eclectic professional career path.  She finished her career as a Workers Compensation Case Management Nurse, providing independent case management services to Delaware County.

She met Bill in 1970 at a bachelor party! We like to say she jumped out of the cake but in reality she stopped in to give her best wishes to the groom, and to make sure everyone in attendance was okay.  Needless to say, when she met Bill it was instant love and they never spent another moment apart. She and Bill were together for 2 years before their marriage on St. Patrick’s Day in 1972.

She devoted her life to her family and her two wonderful boys. In supporting her darling Sons, she attended every Springfield Spartan Football and Springfield High School Lacrosse game they played whether at home or away. She was the eponymous “Team Nurse” and was often seen running on the field to care for injured players on either team. She tirelessly volunteered in the canteen and spearheaded numerous fund raisers for the Youth Clubs in Springfield Township.

She loved warm weather ocean views, but ironically truly detested sand. Michele and Bill frequently vacationed at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Her “special” place however was the family vacation home on the West side of Maui, just above Kaanapali. She personified and held close the principles of Ohana and Mahalo.

Michele was kind and generous to everyone and lit up the entire room with her beautiful smile and warm personality.  She selflessly touched the lives of so many in her special way.

In addition to her loving husband, Bill; Michele is survived by two sons, Christopher Michael Hunter and his wife, Molly of Seattle, WA and William Dodd Hunter and his wife, Heather of Malvern, PA; four grandchildren, Cameron Bryn Schauer, Flyn Phelan Hunter, Hadley Bryn Hunter and Madison Wilde Hunter; a brother, Martin Phelan and his wife, Stephanie of East Norriton , two dear sisters-in law, Kathy Phelan, wife of the late Matthew A. Phelan Jr., Joanne Phelan, wife of the late, Michael Phelan, and the late Lt. Col. Mark P. Phelan, killed in action in Mosul Iraq in 2004, who was honorably laid to rest Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Also surviving Michele are many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and boundless friends.

In addition to her parents, Michele is predeceased by her brothers, Matthew Jr., Michael and Mark Phelan.

A public viewing will be held Monday, January 16th, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 9:00pm in Logan Videon Funeral Home, 2001 Sproul Rd., Broomall, PA 19008. 

The following morning, Tuesday, January 17th at 10:00 AM there will an additional public viewing held prior to the funeral mass at 11:00 AM, in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave., Springfield, PA 19064. Michele will be laid to eternal rest in Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield.

Following the burial services, the Family invites all friends and loved ones to join them for a celebration of Michele’s life at The Springfield Country Club located at 400 West Sproul Road in Springfield, PA 19064.

In lieu of flowers, Michele kindly requests donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.