LACONIA ---- Sally “Sam” J. Munson, age 64, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 26, 2022, at her residence in Laconia, NH. A Daughter, Sister, Mom! (NOT Mother), and Nana; but always a friend first!
She was born February 2, 1958, to Donald and Anna (June) Munson of what was once Maple Shade Farm in Kensington, CT. Though not another son they had hoped for, she was still given the nickname “Sam.” And having been born on a Sunday, she never failed to remind others (especially her siblings) how “Full of Grace” that made her. She insisted to always be called Mom, and never Mother, having to hate the formality of it. Us kids learning early to never get a greeting card saying “Mother” or at least crossing it out to say “Mom” or else we would get that “Mom glare.”
A 1976 graduate of Berlin High in CT, Sally went on to pursue her passion of gardening and flowers graduating in 1977 from Rittners School of Floral Design. Her green thumb brought her much joy, giving purpose to every plant, every flower, and every petal. Farming, 4-H, cooking, day trips to the beach, chatting up a stranger were all just a way of life for her and she wouldn’t have chosen to have it any other way. She respectfully passed on similar interests with all her children and always had an open door with extra seats at the dinner table. Always emphasizing it’s the little things in life that matter most.
Sally is survived by her three children; Christopher G. Choinski of CT, Melissa J. Choinski of MA, and MayBeth R. Mann and her husband of NH; her two grandchildren; Luna and Logan, who filled her heart with a new life and love; her brother Alan Munson of NY, and two sisters Carol Stribula of VA and Joy Gay of MA; along with many niece and nephews; and always seeing her 4-legged grandpets as family.
Now at peace, Sally is growing the garden of her dreams in the sky, and asking to think of her every time it rains as she’s “just watering the flowers.” Grow through what you go through!
A special thank you to all the friends Sally met along her paths and to all the Healthcare Providers for allowing her to have more time with us in our arms, though she will forever be in our hearts.
A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at a later date (details to follow) at Erickson Hansen Funeral Home in New Britain, CT.
For those who wish, the family suggests donations be made in memory of Sally to the Connecticut Farmland Trust, to help preserve working lands for future generations, 77 Buckingham Street, Hartford, CT, 06106 or online at Connecticut Farmland Trust .
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246 is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.