Phyllis

My mom died today.

At 96, my mom lived life on her terms.  And decided to leave the same way.

While it's always sad to lose someone, my mom was ready. She truly had all that she wanted. She lived her life with humor and passion, and had zero regrets. How many among us can say the same?

And as one of her final activities, she even got to see her beloved Patriots win the AFC Championship game. Something she has not seen happen in ten years.

Here's a portion of the obituary that will be posted soon.

Phyllis Familant (nee Pullman) was born in Boston and lived a fun-filled, exciting life before meeting her future husband, George, at age nineteen. To hear her tell it, those first nineteen years were packed with more adventures and boyfriends than most experience in a lifetime. She was a Boston-girl through and through and had the accent to prove it.

In 1949, Phyllis married George and moved to Brockton. By age 27, she had given birth to three daughters and had become totally immersed in the Brockton community. Her days were filled with endless activities; her Saturday nights were always busy (with their many friends); and Sunday dinners were spent with family at a Chinese restaurant in either Sharon, Randolph or Rockland.

After 30 years or so in Brockton, Phyllis and George built a house on the Cape, and perhaps her happiest times were spent there. 

She immediately made many new friends, as people were drawn to her. Phyllis’s infectious laugh and winning personality won over just about anyone she met. Her friend list spans generations.

Even as a teenager, Phyllis had the wisdom to pick the right guy. She and George were a dynamic and loving couple for over sixty-four years. Her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her greatest source of immeasurable happiness and pride.

We will miss her deeply. But I have no doubt that she is already making new friends.