Phyllis T. Vignone

Gigi - you were a hallmark of elegance and grace. I'm so fortunate to have known you and to have married into the Vignone family where your wit and strength shine through the generations. My fondest memory together was going to see "It's a Wonderful Life" at the theater in Tampa just before Christmas. I had never seen the movie before but it was a favorite of Prosper's, having grown up watching it. It was such a beautiful setting and a special story and I think it so perfectly reflects the...

As a child living across the country from my grandma, I grew up thinking that the sophistication and class that I could sense but not label when we visited each summer were a function of her being my “Connecticut Grandma.” I later came to realize that while her personality was definitely sprinkled, or perhaps doused, with “New Englandness,” her most notable attributes were a function of her and not her location.
I could always feel how proud she was of my accomplishments, especially the...

Wow, what a long and fulfilling life Mrs. Vignone had! I don’t know when this picture was taken, but it’s the same lovely memory I have of her when I was at her home while she and my mom played canasta with the rest of their friends. She was always smiling and cheerful, and shared stories of her family. May she Rest In Peace.

When I was a child, my family lived across the country from my grandma. We would fly to Connecticut to see her and the rest of the family every other summer. I remember grandma always having blueberry coffee cake waiting for us when we got to her house. It was the best! I also remember having a kindred night owl spirit with her. Some nights while we were staying with her, I would be sitting in the kitchen banquette reading when she would start vacuuming around 2:00am. We would smile at each...

Grandma, you've been an inspiration. I have long admired how you approached life, balancing realism and optimism, growing stronger from adversity, and seeking knowledge and personal growth well into your 90s. There are far too many fond childhood memories to recount in this space, but our St. Patrick's Day parade "dates" and your annual Christmas Eve celebrations are among my favorites. I was lucky to know you for many years of my adult life as well, which allowed me to appreciate you on a...

Grandma, you are simply amazing! There is really no other way to describe it. I will miss your stories about your life and especially your love story about Grandpa. I smile thinking about you being reunited with him again. He has been waiting for you for such a long time and I am certain he is not letting you out of his embrace again. I will miss you beating me in cards . . . EVERY TIME!!! And that little subtle smile after you win. I will miss your laughter after telling your...

My grandmother would often ask me to help with odd jobs both at her house on Skyline Drive and later at her Condo in Farmington Woods. While I was always happy to help in anyway I could scheduling a time when she was free could prove difficult. It was rather embarrassing to a man in his twenties to find his grandmother kept a more robust social schedule than he did. A request to change a light bulb or bring in the patio furniture might be fulfilled weeks later as grandma had something planned...