Obituary of Mildred Nadolny

Mildred S. Nadolny leaves a legacy of family. Mildred passed away at her home on Monday evening, March 23, 2009 after a long illness. She was 80 years old. Mildred was born in Woburn, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Sarah Giles. She was raised and educated in Woburn. After she was married, she moved the rural farming community of Westford from 1948 to 1963. She embraced her role of homemaker and mother. She was a loving and supportive wife to her late husband Emil. She supported him in his owning and managing the Burlington News newspaper. She even contributed to the paper by writing editorials. They enjoyed their time spent together and the many special vacations they shared. As a mother, she provided unwavering love and care to her 7 children. Her front door was open for her children and their friends. She planned vacations, cookouts around the pool, special holiday gatherings, Christmas Eve open houses, and a home filled with laughter and humor. She attended their sports and activities. She welcomed their spouses and cherished the time with her 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She fought her illness that she may attend her son Bob’s New Years Eve wedding. In her free time she enjoyed to knit, crochet, read, write, and flower garden. She will be lovingly remembered by all her family and friends. Mildred was the wife of the late Emil J. Nadolny. She was the loving mother of Peggy Szymanowicz of Billerica, Sharon Cunningham of Burlington, Steven Nadolny of Woburn, Robert Nadolny of Burlington, Christine Scott of Lexington, Edward Nadolny of Dracut, and James Nadolny of Swanzey, NH. She was the sister of Dorothy McGillick of Tewksbury, and the late Elsie Goss, Lawrence, Ernest & Norman Giles. She was also survived by 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, March 27 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Mildred’s name may be made to VNA Hospice Care, 100 Sylvan Road, G-500, Woburn, MA 01801. Christine Scott's family remembrance My mom came from humble beginnings. As a young child she grew up with very little. Often dinner was whatever was ready in the garden. Often home was wherever there was a roof available. Her mom died when she was only 2 and her dad when she was 10. But she would always tell you she had a very happy childhood and she meant it. She grew up very close to her brothers and sisters. I think at a very young age my mother learned to value family in the highest regard. My mom and Dad met at a fairly young age. They met in a not so typical manner. My dad’s friend Chuck talked to my mother and her girlfriend Phyllis while the girls were waiting for a bus in Woburn Center. My dad waited in a car nearby. Chuck got on the bus with the girls, so my dad had no choice but to follow them. Chuck planned a double date for them and the rest is history, with both couples marrying. My mom and Dad seemed to be meant for each other. My mom would talk fondly about this era of her life. My mom’s family was not sure that she should marry Emil, because he was a parapelegic and they didn’t want her to continue with a lifestyle of poverty. Luckily, she was strong and she was smart and she knew that Emil was the man for her. Shortly after they were married they built a home in Westford and started their family, in the end having 7 children. In 1963 they moved to Burlington where they would stay for the rest of their lives. Through the years my mom took care of the household and took care of her children, but she also kept up with her creative passions. She always enjoyed writing and through the years has written short stories, some which she kept to herself and some which she has shared. I’ve had a few serious conversations with my mom over the last year, since she was diagnosed with cancer. The stories she told differed, but the theme was always the same. She had a happy life. She always had a contentedness about her that was strong, genuine and rare. She enjoyed many vacations to Las Vegas with my Dad. After my Dad died I was fortunate enough to spend some vacations with my Mom and other family members. One of my best memories is of a cruise we went on and something as simple as watching the carribean sunset while drinking Pina Coladas on a Mexican beach was so much more meaningful with my mom there. My mom also enjoyed vacations at the cape with many of her children and grandchildren. I also got to know her as a person, and realized how creative and smart she was and what a great sense of humor she had. Things I hadn’t noticed as a child or just took for granted. My mom treated everyone equally and always “routed for the underdog” so to speak. Even in any sporting event, she would genuinely feel sorry for the losing team. That was just her way. Again, my mom was kind to everyone, she was the one who would bring a Thanksgiving plate to the lonely neighbor, or invite someone to dinner that had nowhere else to go. She was very compassionate in this way. Often as kids we would joke about it…”I wonder who will be at dinner tonight”. We also knew that any of our friends were always welcome to our home. As a young adult I began to realize how lucky I was to have such a kind, giving, patient, caring and loving Mom. Her love was truly unconditional. As a child, I thought that’s what everyone had. I didn’t realize she was so special when I was younger. Through the year’s I’ve had many friends tell me that my Mom is a “saint”…now this is a common saying, but they actually meant it. My mothers greatest love was her family. I can’t overstate this. She would sacrifice anything for any of us. She loved all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She took great pride in them. She always had a gentle way with babies and young children, she often was the one to get a fussy baby to sleep or a cranky toddler to change their mood. I know I appreciated these talents when my children were young. Holidays and family gatherings was what she enjoyed most. Whenever you asked what she wanted for Christmas or her birthday she would always respond that she just wanted her family to be with her. She provided many great memories for us and she will be dearly missed.