Ledyard - Ruth "Phyllis" Smith, 81, of Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, surrounded by family.She will be remembered for her many accomplishments as a volunteer serving on the Eastern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and Norwich Senior Center, where she helped seniors understand their Medicare benefits, on the Norwich AARP Board of Directors as assistant treasurer, and as a member of the Permanent Commission for Senior Citizens in Ledyard.Phyllis was born Nov. 13, 1931, in Acton Mass., the daughter of Vernon and Dorothy Smith. She had been married to James French, USN-Ret. from Concord, Mass., for 44 years.She is survived by her children, Steven French of Norwich, Debra Hanley of Fairfax, Va., Sherrie Biscuti of Noank, Dennis French of Seneca, S.C., Denise French-Fater of Savannah, Ga.; her grandchildren, Zoe and Jack Hanley of Fairfax, Va., PJ and Jamie Biscuti of Noank, and Amanda Holmes, Colchester; her great-granddaughter, Allison Holmes of Colchester; and her sister, Norma Smith of Acton, Mass.She is predeceased by her brother, Ronald Smith; and sister, Muriel Lombardo of Acton, Mass.A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Center for Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360. We are so grateful to this wonderful organization for making it possible for our mother to live comfortably and peacefully at home these past few weeks.Please visit www.byles.com for directions, to sign her guestbook or to share a memory.