Gurlie Velander

Gurlie Ingeborg (Hedlund) Velander, 88, of Worcester died on April 21, 2012. Born December 12, 1923 of Swedish immigrant parents, she was the only child of Arthur N. and Hanna H. (Jonsson) Hedlund. Gurlie is survived by her daughter, Linda Anderson and her husband William, of Webster, her granddaughter, Jennifer Hehir and her sons, Andrew, John, and Joseph, of Whitinsville, and her grandson, David Anderson, of Webster. Gurlie lived a long and full life. I have reached an elegant sufficiency. Any more would be a superfluous redundancy. A 1942 graduate of Commerce High School, Worcester, MA, she was proud of her Swedish heritage and was a 1939 charter and life-long member of the Vasa Order of America Nordic Lodge # 611. With her ex-husband, the late USAF Major Arnold E. Velander, she enjoyed traveling both here and abroad. She lived in Germany during the cold war, again in the 1960s, and in Sweden before settling in North Eastham on Cape Cod. She was employed as clerk of the Eastham Council on Aging, retired in 1985, and moved back to Worcester where she worked for Yours for Children, Inc. Gurlie played the accordion and piano, and enjoyed drawing, photography, and dancing. She loved cats. She was an avid Red Sox fan. Gurlie appreciated the opportunities she had to travel and instilled that love in her family. Most of all, she cherished her family and relished every opportunity she had to be with them. She was a central part of holidays and vacations, and was active at her grandchildrens school and sports events (especially Davids St. Johns crew races). She adored the never-ending hugs and kisses from her great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her estranged daughter, Beverly Crawford and her daughters Angela, Kristina, Melissa, and their children. Always in her thoughts, she had accepted the things she could not change. Gurlie always enjoyed the uniqueness of her name because, People always remember me. Gurlie, you will be remembered and loved. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605. Burial will follow in All Faiths Cemetery. There are no calling hours. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please visit NordgrenMemorialChapel.com