Mildred A. Gustafson

WORCESTER - Mildred Ann Gustafson passed peacefully on Thursday, August 21st at Rose Monahan Hospice Home after a period of declining health. She passed four days short of her 92nd birthday, and eight days short of her 71st wedding anniversary.

The granddaughter of a west Texas pioneer and daughter of two teachers, Mildred was born in a "teacherage" in tiny Eola, Texas, on August 25, 1933. She spent her early years in rural west Texas, creating fond memories of summers with sisters and cousins on her grandparents' farm. As a teen, she moved with her family to Fort Worth, where she attended Texas Wesleyan College and there met and married Donald Gustafson, a newly discharged U.S. Air Force veteran from Boston.

Mildred Ann, or "Millie," is survived by her husband of nearly 71 years, Donald, as well as their children, Karl (ex Karen), Paul (Tricia), and Keri. She is also survived by her grandchildren Corey (Kaelyn), Courtney (Tim), and Hanna, as well as many great grand-cats and great grand-dogs. Mildred Ann was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Geneva and Verna Deene and their husbands Bill and Doug, and her niece Marla. She is survived by nieces Glenda and Joan and their families, as well as extended family in Texas and Massachusetts.

Mildred, Don, and their children moved back and forth between Texas and New England many times, living in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, but Mildred always circled back to her small town Texas roots and strong connections with her sisters, their families, and extended family and church community. She never lost her Texas accent.

Mildred Ann taught typing and stenography in high schools, managed dental claims at Travelers Insurance, and retired as a trainer for Fleet Bank and Citicorp. She sewed her own clothes. She was digitally literate, running insurance claims and spreadsheets on laptops and Apple Macs as early as the mid-1980s and still using an iPad well into the past year. She loved nothing better than getting family together over food and games, especially on holidays. She lived with the firm belief that a Keebler elf cookie could provide relief from most physical ailments.

In their later years, Mildred and Donald moved to Holden to be closer to family. There, they built a strong sense of community with fellow parishioners at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and with neighbors in "The Maze," people who would be of immense support in recent years. The Gustafson family wishes to thank Jean, Bruce, Linda, Bill, Geriann, Ted, and others of their neighborhood and church, as well as Jamie at Four Corners and Kelly at Papa Gino's. Thanks also to the Holden Police and Fire Departments, to caregivers from Always Best Care, and to the dedicated caregivers at Dodge Park Rest Home.

In 2024, Mildred Ann and Don moved into care at Dodge Park, where they shared a room, and where Donald still resides.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 12th from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street in Holden. Friends and family are kindly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mildred Ann may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury Street, Holden, MA 01520.