IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Phyllis Regina Sell

Phyllis Regina Sell  Macveigh Profile Photo

Macveigh

May 15, 1925 — Oct 12, 2022

Obituary

CUMBERLAND – Phyllis Regina Sell MacVeigh, 97, of Cumberland, passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Goodwill Retirement Community, Grantsville.

Born in Cumberland on May 15, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Ralph F. and Regina (Yarnall) Sell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Robert MacVeigh, on May 2, 2001; brother Ralph F. Sell, Jr.; and brother-in-law George E. MacVeigh and wife Ellen G. MacVeigh.

Phyllis graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1942, Ursuline Business School in 1943, and the University of Maryland's College of Business and Public Administration in 1947. At Maryland, she majored in finance and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Phyllis was a trailblazer! This degree was a significant achievement for a female in the 1940's. She also did graduatae business studies at Frostburg State University in the 1970's.

During her years in College Park, Phyllis met Jack MacVeigh, a fellow University of Maryland BPA student from Bethesda, MD. They were married on June 26, 1948, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, now The Shrine of SS Peter and Paul. The MacVeigh's settled on Fayette Street in Cumberland's west side, later moving to Camden Avenue in 1957. Her family summered at Deep Creek Lake since the 1930's. Phyllis and Jack continued this tradition with their family at their cottage on Turkey Neck Loop.

Phyllis served as Secretary/Treasurer of the former Sell & Company wholesale food distributor headquartered in Cumberland. She was appointed by former Governors William Donald Schaefer and Parris Glendening to the State of Maryland Judicial Nomination Commission where she served for 12 years. This Commission is responsible for recommending individuals to serve as judges to the local trial courts.

Phyllis was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the University of Maryland Alumni Association (Life Member), the University of Maryland Emeritus Club, Alpha Omicron Pi Social Sorority (UMD), and the American Association of University Women.

Phyllis began her service on the Frostburg State University Foundation Board of Directors in 1998 and completed her active duty in 2008, at which time she was granted emerita status. She was a member of the Frostburg State University Alumni Association, the Junior Women's Civic Club and the Women's Civic Club.

Phyllis was a 50+ year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution – Cresap Chapter, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary which became the Western Maryland Health System Auxiliary, and the Cumberland Country Club.

Phyllis is survived by two daughters, Mary Bretta MacVeigh Reinhard and husband G. Douglas, Cumberland, and Melissa K. MacVeigh Goheen and husband Stephen A., Virginia Beach; a son, J. David MacVeigh and wife Carol Stowell, Thomasville, PA; a grandson, Robert MacVeigh Reinhard and wife Anna Marie and their daughter, Ada Kathryn; a granddaughter, Ashley Frutchey and husband Weston and their daughter, Georgia S.; three stepgrandchildren, Sonya S. Smith and her children Brody D. McElwain and Ryan J. McElwain, Robert B. Smith and wife Kara, and Benjamin S. Myers and wife Susana; sister-in-law Patricia M. Sell; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, on Friday, October 21, 2022, from 3 to 5 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at The Shrine of SS Peter and Paul by Father Mark Carter, OFM Capuchin, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 9 am. Following the Mass, interment will be in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery. All friends are welcome to join the family at the Cumberland Country Club at 10:30 am.

Phyllis often stated that she had lived in the best of times. She exemplified The Greatest Generation. Phyllis immensely enjoyed working at the Pentagon for one year before starting college. Phyllis strongly believed in the importance of the right to vote. She led by example and voted throughout her life in local, state, and national elections. She voted by absentee ballot in the 2022 primary election. VOTE! Phyllis and Jack attended several US Presidential Inaugurations and Inaugural Balls.

Phyllis and Jack traveled extensively nationally and internationally. Their most memorable trip was to Egypt with Turkey Neck Loop neighbors Audrey and Irvin Feld. After the loss of Jack, Phyllis took P & O Cruises Aurora World Cruise alone at age 79.

Phyllis enjoyed playing bridge, reading books, watching the stock market, and lunching with friends. She was enthusiastic and exhibited a spirit of adventure. Phyllis described herself as a little girl from Cumberland, Maryland. Overall, she was genuine and kind.

Phyllis and Jack valued their college educations and generously provided this life-enhancing asset to their three children. The MacVeigh children were also fortunate to share a noteworthy trip with their parents to Europe in 1970.

The family extends deepest appreciation to the staff of the Goodwill Retirement Community for the extraordinary high quality care Phyllis received for the last ten years. She was showered with kindness by everyone associated with Goodwill.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to Terry J. Friend. Phyllis' world brightened after they met! Terry is an exceptional individual and was Phyllis' best friend.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Phyllis' memory may do so by making a charitable contribution to The John R. and Phyllis Sell MacVeigh Scholarship at Frostburg State University. This was created by the MacVeigh's during their lifetimes and is designated for students from Allegany or Garrett Counties studying business administration. Checks may be made payable to the FSU Foundation, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532 or given online at www.frostburg.edu/makeagift.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.ScarpelliFH.com.

Phyllis MacVeigh Funeral Service.mov from Allegany Media on Vimeo.

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Funeral Services

Visitation

October
21

Friday

Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A.

108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, MD 21502

3:00 - 5:00 pm

Mass of Christian Burial

October
22

Saturday

Shrine of SS Peter and Paul

127 Fayette St, Cumberland, 21502

Starts at 9:00 am

Burial

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery

127 Fayette St, Cumberland, 21502

Guestbook

Visits: 2

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