She was known as Phyllis, Sister, Cousin Phyllis, Mom, Aunt Phyllis, Grammie, Great Grammie and Mrs. Stone. Regardless of what you called her, she was always there with love, grace and care to greet you, to talk to you and ask how you were. Many recall that she always remembered their names…She remembered everything….I always looked up to her as a little girl. She was so hard-working, and knowledgeable and could bake and cook in a way that no one else could…She was my best friend, and we shared the greatest simple moments together, like going down the hill to We-Like-It for ice cream where undoubtedly she would know every single person there, again calling them by name…going down to the dam for walks when we were younger. She would bring us a picnic lunch and we would walk and just talk about anything that was on our mind. She had a listening spirit and she could listen for hours and hours…It’s hard to find one word to describe my Grammie. We all knew she was strong and slighhhhtly stubborn, but I think we can all agree – she was the most empathetic, kind soul we’ve ever met and will probably ever meet in our lives.

From a young age she had a lot of responsibilities…In many ways, her childhood shaped her into the hardworking, compassionate person she ultimately became. Once an avid lover of square dancing, she met the love of her life in 1952 while out square dancing with friends…during her final days, I asked her to tell me about how my grandfather proposed. She began with “you know I worshipped the ground your grandfather walked on”…They were married on October 3, 1953 – with their reception at no other place than the farm…We all know my grandfather was the first selectman of Hampton – but Phyllis was the first selectwoman of the farm! Organizing the meals, the schedules and occasionally driving the hay truck and doing anything else she could, she quickly immersed herself into farm life. And – it’s not any simple breakfast she would conjure up every day…I’m pretty sure every diner in America named the “Farmer’s Breakfast” after her! I can remember visits to the farm as a child for all holidays and summers. We would swim in the pool, climb in the hayloft and take visits down to the pond. Grammie would have a way of making sure you were always having a good time – and were fed well…There was something magical about being on the farm, whether it was the atmosphere of hard work, or the love in every moment, everyone always looked forward to their visit. Who knew opening the car door and smelling cow manure could be so nostalgic! When walking in the door you would always be treated with a smile and a hug, and a cookie in the cookie jar.

Phyllis enjoyed her time with Windham County 4-H teaching her daughter to sew and cook – and also taught leadership courses. She touched so many lives, and most recall her kind, patient spirit during their time at 4-H, describing their experience as her having a powerful impact on their life. We would go to the old Town Hall with her when she was the Tax Collector…When the new building opened, she was so excited to have a bigger space to share with residents. A lifelong friendship with Peggy Fox made quite the dynamic duo in that building! It is also where her assistant at the time – Laurie Berard – would find herself with a mentor and friend. We watched Grammie have great conversations with every person who came in the door. I mean, who is actually happy to talk to their Tax Collector??? She was patient and understood every situation, and helped as much as she could.

The pride Phyllis had in her home community of Hampton is unmatched. A longtime member of the Congregational Church, she devoted her life to serving God and her community. A Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a Ladies Aide member and a close friend, she wore many hats in the church.  I’m sure everyone has been served a piece of her pies at a fair or fundraiser! Regardless of how she was feeling or what else was going on, those pies got baked and brought to the church. She had a very special relationship with each person in the church community. Some often joke that she was the grandmother in town that was standing in for all other grandmothers…I actually remember asking at one point who was actually related to us and who wasn’t! It did not matter if someone was in our family tree, every child or person in the church that would touch my grandmother‘s life was instantly family and will always be family.

The spirit of her kindness is forever embedded in so many. There’s no doubt that she touched every life in this room, by offering a gentle moment, a cry, a hug when you need it at the most or just a simple smirk, with that twinkle in her glass-blue eyes . She will be greatly missed by everyone, but her soul is in so many of us now. She made a profound impact on my life, as she did with others. Equally as important is the impact every single person had on her. The support of this community is unwavering. She was fiercely independent, so needing to rely on others did not come easy for her. The love she showed to so many through the years was given right back to her…My family is incredibly grateful – thank you.

excerpts from the Eulogy of Amy Woznyk, Phyllis’s Granddaughter