Saturday, August 30, 2014

Anna Eleanor Westerdahl Carlson (1 Feb 1918 - 31 May 1980) 
Bruce’s Aunt - His father’s sister

Her name was Eleanor, but when she was a teenager and her nephew, Bruce, was a baby, he couldn’t say “Eleanor.” He called her Lolly, and the name stuck.

Aunt Lolly was Grandma and Grandpa Westerdahl’s youngest child, and she was doted on by her sister Gert, and her brothers, Carl and David. Lolly and Carl were especially close throughout her life, a life cut short by cancer at 62.

Lolly was a happy, loving woman of faith whose studies at the Nursing School at Bridgeport Hospital were interrupted  while she nursed her mother who was dying of cancer. When Lolly graduated, she was at the top of her class.

Lolly met the love of her life, Ronald Carlson in Shelton, CT at the Sunday Services where her father a was a Pastor and Superintendent at a home for Swedish Senior Citizens. They were married by Lolly’s Father in an outdoor service on May 11, 1940, and two year later, they welcomed Judy Elizabeth to the family. Two years after Judy was born, they welcomed son, James Ronald.

Aunt Lolly laughed easily and often, and with her  sunny disposition she was always happy and cheerful especially when she was able to enjoy her extended family. Her joyful nature, her skills and her compassion for those who were ill made her an exemplary nurse and a beloved companion for Ronald and her family. She especially loved her role as a Grandmother to Kristen, Jill, Scott and Gillian.

Aunt Lolly died on May 31, 1980 and her memorial service was attended by many friends ands family. Pastor DeVries, who led the service, shared a fitting tribute from Psalm 116:15:

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”





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