Mildred Kalat Jahelka

JAHELKA, Mildred Kalat Mildred Kalat Jahelka, 90, a lifelong resident of East Haddam, passed away Friday (June 20, 2008). She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Born in New York on June 28, 1917, Mildred grew up in East Haddam, the daughter of the late Helen and Wallace Kalat. She is especially remembered as the executive secretary to the principal of Nathan Hale Ray High School, where she was employed for many years. She ran a successful business, the Arrowhead Gift Shop and Country Store, in Haddam. After her retirement, she served in many volunteer positions, including secretary to the East Haddam Historical Society, member of the board of directors of the Bashan Lake Association, docent at Amasa Day House in Moodus and East Haddam senior citizen's bus driver. Mildred was a woman who enjoyed much in her life. She cherished the time spent with family. She dearly loved her home of nearly 50 years on Bashan Lake (her "golden pond"). She was most comfortable outdoors swimming in the lake or working in her yard. An avid gardener, Mildred loved Queen Anne's Lace flowers, the bright red geraniums that adorned her home, her magnificent vegetable gardens and the lovely cardinals that visited her often. Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Anton Jon Jahelka and her son, Thomas Dean Jahelka. She is survived by her daughter, Linda J. Aldrich of East Haddam, her niece, Deborah Prater of Moodus, her nephew, Martin S. Prater of Bailey, CO and her four granddaughters and their families: Jesse Strassman and her husband, Mark, of San Rafael, CA and their children, Benjamin, Mia and Sophie; Victoria Fewell and her husband, Scott, of Essex Junction, VT and their children, Olivia, Georgia and Eva; Jeanne Ritchie and her husband, Mark, of Union, MO and their children, Mikaela and Emily; Jeannette Womble and her husband, John of Greenville, SC and their children, Luke and Lydia and her former daughter-in-law, Susan Jahelka of Olathe, KS. The family greatly appreciates the loving care and kindness of the staff at Chestelm where Mildred spent her last years. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Spencer Funeral Home, located at 112 Main Street, East Hampton on Thursday, June 26 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The funeral procession will leave Spencer Funeral Home on Thursday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a celebration of Mildred's life at 11 a.m. in the First Church of Christ Congregational on Town Street, East Haddam with Reverend Kathleen Peters officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot in the Main Street Cemetery on Town Street, East Haddam. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bashan Lake Association. Contact William Denya at 203-237-9000 or the 100 club of Connecticut at www.the100club.org. To leave on-line condolences or for directions, please visit our website at www. spencerfuneralhomeinc.com