Pansy Willis

WILLIS, Pansy Pansy (Welch) Willis, 86, of Ellington, beloved wife of the late Francis E. Willis, Sr., passed away peacefully on Monday, (November 9, 2009), at Brandywine Assisted Living in Litchfield. Born in Templeton, MA, daughter of the late Carl Welch and Bertha Lewis, she grew up in Tolland and lived in Ellington for over 60 years. Prior to her retirement in 1987, Pansy was employed by the State of Connecticut at the Mansfield Training School. She was also previously employed by the former U. S. Envelope Company. She was a member of the Community United Methodist Church at Crystal Lake. Pansy was the first woman to serve as Fire Commissioner for the Crystal Lake Fire Department. "Nana" loved her flowers and had many beautiful gardens. She was especially fond of feeding birds and squirrels at her home. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her beloved children, Margaret Durkee and her husband Henry of Watertown, Dwight Willis and his wife Jasmine of Ellington and Francis Willis, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Ellington; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Casati, Lynette Brier, Jamie Willis, Nicole Dionne and Jessica Durkee; six great grandchildren, Courtney and Addison Mathews, Sydney and Chelsea Willis and Calvin and Fiona Brier; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and her husband, Pansy was predeceased by her son, Orrin Willis and her sister, May Craig. Funeral services will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church at Crystal Lake, 278 Sandy Beach Road, Ellington. Burial will follow in Ellington Center Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Community United Methodist Church at Crystal Lake, 278 Sandy Beach Road, Ellington, CT 06029. Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home in Vernon is caring for the arrangements. For online condolences and guest book, please visit our website at www. carmonfuneralhome.com