Sally Phelan Waite

Sally Jane Phelan Waite, 39, of Arlington, Massachusetts passed away on July 30, 2021 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after an unyielding eight-year-long battle with cancer. With the strongest spirit and will to live, she physically endured so much to keep the burden of loss from her family, her husband Steve, and most important to Sally, her 7-year-old son Samuel.

Born on January 7, 1982 in New Haven, Connecticut to Elizabeth and Joseph Phelan, Sally was an inquisitive and chatty child with a love of the performing arts. A standout dancer from an early age, she devoted years of study to Lee Lund Studio, where she also fostered her love of dance in the children she felt privileged to demonstrate for. Sally attended Saint Mary School in Milford, where she shared many fond memories with her sister, brother, and cousins along with her aunt, Julie Hayes, who taught there.

After graduating from Foran High School, Sally went on to study dance at Roger Williams University before shifting her academic focus to Child Studies at Lesley University in Boston, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Sally then attained her Master’s in Women and Child Abuse in London. Upon returning to the United States, she supported women in crisis situations.

Sally knew how to dream and created her own adventures wherever she went. While studying at Lesley University, she met Steve, and three years later they were married in a fairytale wedding in London, planned by Sally and attended by almost all of her family. Sally and Steve spent another couple of years in London, happily exploring Europe and the world together before returning to Boston to settle down in quieter settings.

While pregnant with Sam, Sally was diagnosed with stage four cancer and throughout that devastation made the commitment to Sam, Steve, her family, and to herself that she would do anything to give her baby the time with his mother that he deserved. Her drive to be with Sam and her commitment to surrounding him with positive energy and love gave Sally the strength to endure surgery after surgery, endless chemotherapy regimes, and numerous prolonged periods in the hospital. That strength saw her continually “beat the odds” and “surprise” her oncology team time and time again over a grueling eight-year period. Sally’s spirit was never broken. She remained a devoted mother and continued to be a fun aunt, dancing and singing endlessly, planning parties and special events in addition to bringing happiness into the lives of the many children in her life.

During her treatment, Sally decided to give back to MGH Cancer Center by sitting on the Supportive Services Committee as well as helping with fundraising. She walked in the fashion show and ultimately had her philanthropic work honored as one of the One Hundred Everyday Amazing individuals MGH recognized for their commitment to the fight against cancer.

Sally’s passing will leave a huge hole in the lives of her family and countless friends. She had the uncanny gift to connect with everyone she met, no matter where they were from or who they were. Nicknamed “Miss Q (Questions)” by her father, within fifteen minutes of first meeting her almost everyone shared their life stories, fears, and dreams. It was her ability to connect, empathize, and find commonality that resulted in an incredibly close group of friends whom Sally would do anything for and who would do anything for her.

Anyone who knew Sally, knew that she was the kindest and most loving and devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, and cousin a family could hope for. Sally is survived by her loving husband Steven, her son Samuel, the most precious soul in her life, who will forever be in her heart, as well as her father Joseph Phelan, mother Elizabeth Lionetti (Thomas), sister Jan Liebman, brother Joseph Phelan (Diane), father-in-law William Waite, mother-in-law Marilyn Waite, brother-in-law Robert Waite (Laura), her nieces and nephews, who she considered as her own, including Elizabeth, Adalyn, Vivian, Joseph, Gracie, Abi, and Harry, her beloved aunts and uncles, many cousins, as well as her extended family in England.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, Connecticut. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church (Precious Blood Parish), 70 Gulf St., Milford, Connecticut. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford, Connecticut. 

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