Frances M. Peck, 90, of Southbury died peacefully December 11, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Her loved ones say, "She was no doubt received by a choir of singing angels with whom she sings again." She was born May 26, 1927, on a farm in Southbury, and remained a lifelong town resident. Daughter of immigrants, the late Stanislaus "Stephen" and Anastasia "Nellie" (Pasternak) Rant, she was the youngest of eight children.

In June 1956, she was married to Robert F. Peck, who was part of one of the founding families of Newtown and the Connecticut Colony.

Mrs Peck worked at Fairfield Hills for several years before becoming a full-time mom and homemaker. She was known for her lifelong passion of flowers and gardening. She rarely missed watching her beloved New York Yankees play. She also loved spending time with her family and her grand-puppies.

Her two daughters, Linda L. Peck of South Britain, and Kimberly Reilly and husband Douglas of Mooresville, N.C.; as well as several nieces, nephews, and a cousin survive her.

Her son, Robert H. Peck; her husband, Robert F. Peck; and her four sisters and three brothers predeceased her.

She cherished growing up on the farm in The Purchase without electricity or plumbing, through the depression and World War II. She loved to recount the stories of that romantic time in America's history and the sacrifice of her parents leaving their own families to come to this country to find freedom and opportunity from oppression.

In her later years, Mrs Peck longed for those simpler times, back on the farm, atop the hayload, a time when hard work and sacrifice were normal.

Her loved ones say she will be remembered for the years of selfless caring she gave to her family on the farm, as well as to her own family once she married, and for her beautiful gardens, great home-cooking, never-ending joy of life, and readiness for fun and adventure. They also say she embraced this life without complaint, soldiering on, even as she missed her family deeply; and that they remain forever indebted and humbled by the legacy of her life, her family, and all the lives of The Greatest Generation for their enduring sacrifices in the building this great nation.

Funeral services took place on December 14 at the Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.