She Taught At The Same Bergen County Middle School For 41 Years. She Died Thursday.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Bergen County woman who taught at the same middle school for 41 years died on Thursday.

Marcella "Marcie" E. Phelan of Hasbrouck Heights was 80 years old.

She had taught at Roy W. Brown Middle School in Bergenfield for more than four decades, her obituary says.

A Facebook group, Friends of Music of The Bergenfield Public Schools, said she had another distinction: She was the band director.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, colleagues, and the many students whose lives she touched throughout her distinguished career," said the post.

The comments beneath showed the various ways she impacted students' lives.

"She was a huge part of my music life growing up," responded one commenter. "She and Mrs. Fornorato are together again teaching the angels to play."

"I had taken my niece and nephew to the library about 15 years ago for a 'Read to a dog' program," wrote another commenter. "I’m sitting there listening to my niece read to the dog and realize Ms. Phelan was the dog’s owner. Such a nice person."

"She was a most kind individual that inspired her students to be the best they could," wrote a third.

Services will be held Tuesday and Wednesday. Read more of her obituary here.