An avid listener of talk radio

"Mrs. Valakos was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes. She was also a backyard bird-watcher and an avid listener of talk radio."

His little dog, Chichi ... sweet!

"Scooter had a unique personality, once you met him, you'd never forget him. He was mechanically inclined and loved John Deere, old trucks, GMC 1983, his dream truck, tractors and anything diesel, heavy equipment.

"Fall and winter were his favorite seasons. He couldn't wait for the first snowstorm. He loved going out in the wee hours to snowplow.

"Besides his mother and grandparents, he leaves his aunt and uncle, Donna and Philip Houk, his uncle, Allyn; his cousins, Adam Houk, Emily and Joseph Tinnel, Angel and Gina; great aunts and uncles; cousins; many special friends and especially his little dog, Chichi, who he loved so much; woof woof."

"Tight as ticks" I love it!

"Her parents were Rollin and Vera DeWolfe and she and her two sisters were tight as ticks. Sister Mary Jane King died in 2007, and her sister and dearest friend Shirley Avery died in 2008."

Dancing the salsa in the wind

"Debra's earthly remains will be taken to St. Johns, U.S. Virgin Islands where she looked forward to owning a condo. There she will dance the salsa in the wind and the waves on the shore forever."

Cycled around the world in her 50s but that's just the beginning of this story

"When she resolved to cycle round the world, Mustoe was 54, somewhat overweight and unfit, and without any idea of how to mend a puncture. She had not ridden a bike for 30 years, wobbled when she tried again, and she hated camping, picnics and discomfort."

H/T to Jack Mulligan!

She knew how to enjoy life with grace

"She was a hard worker, overseeing a household and assisting her husband in his law practice. She enjoyed physical labor and, with the exception of the past several months, possessed the energy of a much younger woman. She loved ironing, which she did almost daily, hanging clothes to dry on the line upon spring's arrival, and particularly relished working in her yard. In summer months, she could be spotted atop her riding mower, sun visor on her head, tending to her vast lawn.

"She cherished life's simple pleasures, kitchen-table chats, backyard cookouts and rides with her beloved sisters to Watch Hill or Stonington Point for the views.

"Her home was always tastefully decorated for seasonal holidays, specifically Christmas, her favorite. She was a wonderful hostess and cook, and her 4th of July celebrations, in honor of her own and our nation's birthday, featured fireworks and patriotic sing-alongs and were a summer highlight among family and friends for the past forty years.

"One of her greatest attributes was her humility, an admirable quality so often lacking in today's society. She was quiet and graceful, and lived her life in service to her family."

Won a few dollars at gin rummy -- and the lottery

"He truly loved his many friends and occasionally won a few dollars at gin rummy. He was blessed with good luck and had the distinction of winning the State Lottery in 1973."