Phoebe Owen (Spiers) Urban

Phoebe Owen Spiers Urban of Avery Heights, Hartford, Connecticut, died on December 18, 2011. She was the widow of the Venerable Joseph Trexler Urban of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, who died in 1992. Born on October 27, 1917 in Devon, Pennsylvania, she was the youngest child of Mark Herbert Carver Spiers and Faith Randall Spiers. She was predeceased by John Spiers, brother, and Faith Spiers Clark and Marcia Spiers Pfeiffer, sisters. She was raised in Brooklawn, New Jersey, and later attended the University of Delaware and Mulvey Business Institute in Philadelphia. Before her marriage, Phoebe was employed at John Wanamaker Company and at Curtis Publishing Company, both in Philadelphia. Salutatorian of her high school class, Phoebe had also been a star athlete in her high school years, winning awards in tennis, basketball, and swimming. She was also a devoted Girl Scout and later a camp leader. Phoebe Urban shared in the life and work of her husband, the Rev. J. T. Urban, at various Episcopal churches in New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, and Connecticut. They raised five children who survive her: Lucia Urban Bakewell of Earlysville, Virginia; Faith Urban Berry of Rockport, Massachusetts; Phoebe Urban Johnston of Morrisville, North Carolina; Joseph Trexler Urban junior, of New York City; and Ralph Ernest Urban II of East Hampton, Connecticut. In addition she leaves eight grandchildren: Geoffrey Bakewell, Andrea Lowery, Christine Thalwitz, Katherine Reed, Sandra Johnston Palenschat, Elizabeth Urban, Colin Urban, and Kelsey Urban. She has eight great grandchildren: Evvia Bakewell, Dahlia Bakewell, Trexler Bakewell, Chloe Lowery, Jared Thalwitz, Katya Thalwitz, Margaret Reed and Laney Reed. A Funeral Service celebrating the life of Phoebe Urban will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford at 11:00 A.M. on December 29, 2011. Burial will be private at a later date. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home in West Hartford is in charge of arrangements. Memorials in her name may be made to Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103-1202 or Episcopal Relief and Development, www.er-d.org. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.