Faye D Richards

Faye D. Richards of Harwinton, passed away quietly and peacefully at home on November 2, 2021, in the presence of her two sons, at the age of 84. 

Faye is predeceased by her parents, Walter Dressel and Edna Dressel, her brother, Donald Dressel Sr., and her husband, Fred E. Richards. 

Faye is survived by her two sons, Eric and Kirk Richards, daughter-in-law, Ellen Richards, and six grandchildren, Larson, Evan, Lourdes, Lex, Jacob, and Ryan. 

 An obit as they are often termed,  are most often capsule biographies of strangers.  Faye, on the other hand, was never a stranger to anyone.  Seemingly automatic, her personality was magnetic.  Most all who knew or even met her, would agree that friendship was instantaneous.  The few who didn’t feel that way immediately, came around shortly thereafter and were her dearest and closest friends. 

Faye was 18 years old in 1954 when she graduated from Stoneleigh-Burnham school for girls in Greenfield, MA.  She dabbled with a few college classes, but her wanderlust quickly took over.  Faye flew the “Friendly Skies” as a flight attendant with American Airlines for a while prior to marrying the love of her life, Fred Emil Richards, (1933-2011) in 1961 with whom she raised her two sons.

Faye’s continued love for travel landed her a travel agent position in Harwinton and co-owner of Personalized Travel, Inc. for several years before she was ultimately bitten by the “junkin’ bug”.  Faye dove headfirst into her new love as an Antiquarian.   “Mrs. Buttons and Things” was the moniker on her business cards.  “We Buy Junk and Sell Antiques” became her slogan and she never looked back. She never sat still and when she did, it was usually not for long.  She was always on the move, acquiring “old” stuff, a sea of “new” friends and acquaintances along the way and, of course, “junk” as she called it.  

  Faye was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend, a worker, a giver, a volunteer and touched the lives of so many people for the better.  Faye carried her explorative curiosity and open heart through the entirety of her life, all the way to the end, scooping up everyone she came in contact with into her warm, strong heart.  Souls like hers are rare and if you knew her, you’re probably smiling right now because you know exactly what I mean. online memorials www.phalenfuneral.com

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