Phillips, Diane (Doran)
Diane Doran Phillips, 85, of Simsbury, beloved wife of the late P George Phillips, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at her home with her two daughters by her side. She was the daughter of the late Roger and Camille (Kulmacz) Doran. She was married to the love of her life from September 5, 1959 until his death in 2011.
Although Diane was born in Meriden, she spent most of her childhood and young adulthood living in Hartford always saying it was the best place to grow up and graduated from Hartford High School. She was a model for G. Fox and Co and was an avid artist, mostly with painting. Friends and family looked forward to her uniquely crafted Christmas cards each year. They rarely came before Christmas but they were a gift in themselves. Gardening was another aspect of her artistic creations. Not only did she cultivate and maintain her home gardens, she also was a significant contributor to the Simsbury Flower Bridge that both she and her husband were a part of. Diane designed and nourished the gardens at the entry to the Bridge for many years. She was a long-time and dedicated member of the Simsbury Garden Club. Diane was also active in Simsbury's town meetings and an enthusiastic representative of the Simsbury Tourism Committee. An avid reader, she was a member of various book clubs and always had a book to recommend. She worked at the Yankee Flyer for many years where there were lifelong friendships made and many laughs enjoyed by all. She was a sales representative going to Simsbury businesses for ads each week and was also the proofreader for the paper. Reading, traveling, going to the beach, eating at a good restaurant that had a view of the water, day trips, and staying informed were passions of hers.
A day at the beach was a day well spent. She loved the Niantic beaches which is where she met her husband to be. The Phillips family spent many summer vacations at Niantic and Madison cottages. She and George travelled the world together and in winter they explored the western coastline of Florida eventually settling at Weston's in Manasota Key. They loved the Spanish Proverb “How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward”
Diane will forever be missed by many – her family, her town friends, her “Florida family” friends and her treasured neighbors both old and new. She always made those around her have a better day and continuously shared her smile, wit and sparkle with all those who knew her. Those who spent time with her will always be thankful to have had her in their lives.
She leaves three children, her son Michael Phillips of Springfield, MA; her two daughters Lis Phillips of Windsor and Phyllisa Phillips of Westfield, MA along with her much-loved granddaughters Hannah Godin and Allyson Bancroft; her two sisters Linda Crossen of East Windsor and Susan Mercer of Madison; her sisterin-law Joan Phillips of Farmington; and her nephews Patrick and Kevin Flaherty.
The family will host a memorial celebration of Diane's life at a casual garden party at her home Saturday June 19, 2021 from 11am to 3pm (rain date Sunday, June 20). Please stop in and enjoy being together, sharing stories and remembering Diane.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Simsbury Food Share. Carmon Funeral Home of Avon is caring for the family. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com