Sandra Spizzirri Phelan

Sandra (“Sandy”) Phelan (née Spizzirri) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia on April 15, 2026; she was 74.

Sandy was born on September 28, 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Girard and Jean Spizzirri. She was raised in South Philadelphia and attended St. Maria Goretti High School. Sandy graduated from La Salle College in 1973 with a degree in English as one of their first classes of female students. It was during college that she met her husband, the love of her life, William (“Bill”) J. Phelan, III. They were married on January 15, 1977. Sandy and Bill moved to Roxborough, and have resided there since.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Bill; son, William (“Bill IV”) J. Phelan, IV (Megan) and their children, Benjamin and Patrick; son, Douglas Phelan (Stephanie) and their children, Eleanor and Theodore; and sister, Denise Lai (John).

Sandy worked most of her life as an office manager in healthcare, for which she was dedicated, knowledgeable, and in which she took immense pride. But to all who knew her, her primary devotion and joy was raising her boys, in which she was successful beyond compare. Her pride in Bill IV and Doug knew no limits.

Sandy was a proud Catholic. Until she was unable to go, Sandy and Bill were dutiful parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in the Andorra section of the city. Her faith sustained her through her life and her final days on to a joyful reunion with God and predeceased family in heaven.

As a South Philly Italian, Italian-American culture infused every fiber of Sandy’s being. The ethics of hard work and honest living were guiding principles. The all-important ‘Sunday Dinner’ was maintained even after her children were grown, and then certainly sought whenever possible. Family, foremost, was her love and her life.

Beyond her God and family, Sandy loved “The Crick” - going dutifully for decades, each Saturday morning, to Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Park, walking and taking with family and friends in the natural beauty. Her life was greatly enriched by the companionship of her beloved dogs; she leaves behind a legacy of love that began with her first pup, Jolly Anne, and continued through Buddy, Dante, and Scrapple.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 E Cathedral Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Monday morning from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM in the Church prior to Mass.

Interment will take place in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Broomall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Friends of the Wissahickon (https://fow.org/) or the Pennsylvania SPCA (https://www.pspca.org/).

Arrangements are by McIlvaine Mundy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 7384 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 482-8878 www.mmfunerals.com