WELLER, Emelie

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Monday, April 21, 2003 Emelie Nackard Weller a long time resident of the "Ironwood Hills" area of Paradise Valley, passed away April 18, 2003, on Good Friday. Born in Flagstaff of immigrant Lebanese parents, Emelie helped care for her five sisters and brother. The family moved to Phoenix in 1936. She attended St. Mary's High School and studied to become a portrait artist in New York. She returned and helped her father, Elias S. Nackard, with his business and opened an art school for children. She married Edward P. Weller and together they operated as manufacturer's representative for the Allen-Bradley Company for many years. At the same time, she painted in oil and decorated sets for Phoenix Little Theater. After Ned's death in 1976, Emelie returned to her beloved art, starting the Phoenician Gallery, in which she was well known for the beauty and perfection of her work. As successful as she was in her varied careers, Emelie loved color and the color in her life was her three boys and her husband. Survivors include her sons John, Ron and Don; her sisters Genevieve Brun, Lillian Farris, Lucile "Bobbi" Francies, Alice Ferris; ten grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visitation will be 2:00 - 3:00 P.M. followed by Funeral Service at 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home Chapel, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ. I n lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's High School, 2525 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004. Arrangements by Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.