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GATES, NC – Crystal Bernadette Finkle (Phelps) of Gates, raised in Sullivan County, NY, passed away peacefully in her home on early Saturday morning due to a long battle of Cancer.

Crystal is survived by her son, Lonnie Finkle and wife Rhonda, and children Brenden, Brian & Brett of Hampton, NC, predeceased daughter, Peggy Galligan, and husband Edward and children Alexa, Dylan, and great grandson Mason, and daughter Joyce Hunt and son Austin and wife Brie and daughter Naia, of Norwich, and daughter Katie and husband Frank and son Garrett of Waymart, son Edward and wife Emily of Hawley, daughter Tammy and spouse Cody of Lake Ariel, and son Connor and wife Brie of Lake Ariel. She had nieces DeAnna of Georgia and Kassandra of New York; nephews Martin of North Carolina and Adam of New York; and her companion William Moots; and her best friend Diane Adkison.

Crystal was born February 15, 1955 to the late William Phelps and late Joan Austin in Harris, New York. She was the oldest of four siblings: Robin Phelps of Arizona, predeceased Margaret Decker of New York, and Joey Phelps of Michigan.

Crystal was a life long resident in Neversink, NY where she loved the mountain views. Twenty-two years ago she decided to make a change and headed south to the beach and the heat; she didn’t like the cold any more (lol). She wanted to see the birds, she loved her birds. Crystal loved to visit the Sylvan Bird Aviary with her companion. She loved to go to museums, and take pictures, lots of pictures of everything and anything, even if it was your food. She loved to cook and was always looking for new recipes, even if it meant spending hours on You Tube watching videos. She Loved to craft anything from crocheting hats to plastic canvas even if it meant just collecting yarn, any excuse to go to Hobby Lobby & AC Moore.

She loved to laugh, her laugh and smile was very infectious, there was just something about her that people were just drawn to. But that was our mom…