Phyllis Lucille Clauson

Phyllis Lucille (Gustafson) Clauson, of Stratford, CT, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025 with family at her side.
Phyllis was born on May 21, 1933 at home on the family potato farm in New Sweden, Maine, to the late Lillie (Soderberg) Gustafson and Bror Gustafson. Phyllis was the older sister to her beloved brother, Einar, and her dear baby sister, Sandra. Phyllis lived and learned the definition of hard work from the very start of her life toiling in the fields, driving the tractor, picking potatoes, berries and fiddleheads, caring for the animals, and all of the other time and labor intensive tasks required to manage a farm. She wouldn't have traded her Maine country childhood for any other place on earth. Perhaps it was the beauty of the landscape there that captured her heart, or the small tight-knit community with the one-room schoolhouse she attended, or the sweet fact that she had extended family so close by, including her life-long best friend and cousin, Glenice.
Phyllis's beginnings led her to a life of service to others which was further enhanced by the profession she chose. Phyllis attended the Melrose-Wakefield Nursing program graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1954, an accomplishment she was very proud of, and training that served her well across her lifetime.
During her time studying in Massachusetts for her nursing degree, Phyllis met Frederick Clauson, a lanky Swede, at a summer job working in a greenhouse and delivering flowers all across the Boston area. Flowers weren't the only thing to bloom during that time.
Freddie and Phyllis were married in 1956, and settled in Billerica, Massachusetts where they resided for 42 years, raising their three children, Richard, Jon and Carole. Early on, Fred and Phyllis juggled their family responsibilities, working opposing schedules, sharing the one car they had. Later, their days were filled with doctor's appointments, therapy, and caring for Freddie. Despite these trials, they selflessly provided their children with a carefree childhood, with the family highlight being trips to Acton, Maine for fun-filled, family weekends with Grammy, Grandpa and Uncle John.
In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Phyllis was a lifelong learner, expanding her many interests across her lifetime. She was a skilled pianist, a prolific knitter, an incredible baker - cookies were her specialty, a wonderful cook, an eye for decorating and gardening, truly a homemaker extraordinaire. She was a long-time member of a bowling league, the Merrimack Valley Pistol League, she sang in the choir at Central Congregational Church, was a member of the Kiselo Women's group, served on many boards and councils, and worked the polls for town elections for many years.
Phyllis was a proud mama. She loved her children deeply. She treasured the time she spent with them and with her 14 grandchildren. She loved to babysit and have the grandkids over when they were little. Later, as she got older, she lived vicariously through them enjoying their every accomplishment, and beaming with the arrival of each of her 18 great grandchildren: Chloe, Liam, Ben, Levi, James, Owen, Josiah, Samuel, Abigail, Alex, Lucas, Paisley, Tommy Jon, Parker, Ricky, Emma, Ray and Isabel.
Having lived a good long life of 92 years, Phyllis is now joyously reunited with her husband, Frederick Clauson; son, Jon Clauson; grandson, baby John Clauson; brother-in-law, John Clauson; brother Einar Gustafson (the original Jimmy of the Jimmy Fund); sister-in-law, Karen Gustafson; and brother-in-law, Bill Shields.
Phyllis leaves a lasting impact on those who she is survived by; her beloved sister, Sandra Shields; son, Richard (Dawn) Clauson; son, Eddie Leclair; daughter-in-law, Vera Clauson; daughter, Carole (Raymond) Swift. She is loved by many grandchildren: Daniel (Aline) Stoddard, Erik (Erica) Clauson, Ray (Courtney) Swift, Christopher (Carla) Clauson, Andretta Swift, Andrew (Victoria) Clauson, Wade Clauson, Ricky (Mayra) Swift, David (Sam) Clauson, Charlotte Clauson, Matthew Clauson, Joseph (Frannie) Clauson, Lillie (Chris) Wright. We will miss her so.
And to Sharon McKensie, Phyllis' dedicated, loving, kind caregiver during these last 6 months, the entire Clauson and Swift family send our most heartfelt love, thanks and appreciation.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to The Jimmy Fund.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 9:30 – 10:30 am at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:30 am following the visitation. Interment to follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Phyllis, please visit our Tree Store.