Phyllis (Meyers) Franson, 92, of Southbury, died peacefully at home on August 5. She was born in Rockford, Ill., and grew up spending her childhood playing ball, climbing trees, and catching fireflies.

Mrs Franson's two daughters, Carol Franson-Serra of Newtown and Lynnette Banfi of Germany; son Jon Franson of Mebane, N.C.; and three grandchildren, Lara, Nathan, and Peter, survive her.

She joined the US Navy Waves, in 1944, to serve her country and to satisfy her yearning for adventure. After the war, she came to Connecticut where she met her late husband Herbert at a dinner party. It was true love when she saw his piercing Swedish blue eyes! They settled in Georgetown and raised three children, Jon, Lynnette, and Carol. Each summer she would return to Illinois to visit family and friends, never forgetting her Midwestern roots. Mrs Franson was fearless, racing down the hill in their backyard on a sled keeping up with her children. She wall-papered every room in their large home at least twice and rearranged the furniture monthly. She taught her children to love books, spending hours at the Mark Twain Library in Redding and always reading to them in bed.

In her later years, Mrs Franson loved tending her small flower garden at Grace Meadows with Carol by her side. Even into her nineties, she could be seen planting and weeding from her chair. She loved all flowers, but Shasta daisies and blue morning glories were her favorites. She loved the "little things" in life, like watching the sunset each night and the feel of the warm afternoon sun on her face. Mrs Franson was always ready for adventure with Carol at a moment's notice. The two of them were inseparable and the very best of friends.

She also played a mean game of Scrabble, remembering all of the two-letter words!

In her last few months, Mrs Franson could be seen at the assisted living facility feeding her beloved chipmunks and bunnies for hours.

She had a full life and was ready to make the journey to heaven, where her loved ones are sure she is already tending another garden and visiting with family and friends over a cup of coffee. She spent some of her last hours reaching out and blowing kisses to the ceiling, to someone who was welcoming her to eternal peace and love.

A graveside service under sunny skies took place at Pine Hill Cemetery in Southbury. Her casket was covered with blooms of black-eyed-Susans and hydrangeas picked from Carol's garden.