The spirit of Phyllis W. Saunders, 82, of Westbrook, passed on at home on March 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with dementia and cancer. Phyllis was born in Boston on Feb. 11, 1942, to William H. (USMC) and Ruth G. Weymouth. Phyllis was a 1960 graduate of New London High School and studied ballet at the Froman Professional School of Ballet (New London), and the Virginia Ballet Company where she was a member of the corps de ballet.

She married her husband of 62 years, Richard (“Dick,” “Winston”) H. Saunders in 1961. Phyllis and Dick settled in Clinton in 1971 and raised their family there. Phyllis worked for the Town of Clinton Board of Education Special Services for 25 years, touching the lives of many children. She shared her love and passion for ballet as the Ballet Mistress at the Dancers Studio of Madison until it closed in the early 2000s. Phyllis and Dick moved to Westbrook in 2000 to a larger house to accommodate a growing brood of grandchildren at visits.

Phyllis is survived by her devoted husband Dick; her two sons, Daniel (wife Patricia) and Christopher; five grandchildren, CJ, Patrick, Nolan and Maeve Saunders, and Erika Gonzales (Dan); two great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Lucia Gonzales; siblings, Gail Fenner, Donna Crandall and Brett Weymouth; sister-in-law Carolyn Thompson; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends all who gave her such loving and unwavering support during her long illness. She is predeceased by her parents and infant son Jeffrey W. Saunders.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton, followed the next day by an 11 a.m. service at the United Methodist Church of Clinton on 12 Commerce Street. Additional obituary information is available, and condolences and memories may be posted at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/clinton-ct/phyllis-saunders-11749978.