Obituary of Eleanor L. Gustafson

Eleanor L. Gustafson, 94, of Lakewood, NY passed away at 7:04 p.m. Saturday (August 24, 2013) in W.C.A. Hospital. A lifelong area resident she was born December 2, 1918 in Jamestown, NY a daughter of the late John and Annie Gidlof Loydahl. She was a 1936 graduate of Jamestown High School. Elly later took many classes at Jamestown Community College with art being her favorite. She read widely, consuming thousands of books. In her last years she developed a passion for puzzle books and became an expert at many kinds. She also completed the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle every week for most of her life. She was also a consummate seamstress and prolific artist. Elly's first job after graduating from high school was in the front office at Dahlstrom Manufacturing. She married her high school sweetheart, Jack Gustafson in 1941. She was co-owner of the former fashion Fabrics store in Lakewood for 30 years. Elly loved all animals, gardening and was an avid birder. In their rural home with an extensive orchard, she and Jack raised berries, vegetables and ornamentals. Elly grew and preserved vast quantities of food for her large family. She and her late husband raised and showed Afghan Hounds, winning many ribbons. They were members of the local American Kennel Club and attended many meetings with their dogs. She was a member of the Lakewood United Methodist Church, the national and local Audubon Societies, and was an active volunteer for the Lakewood Library. She was recognized as the longest member of the Lakewood Women's Club in May and was active in their Garden Group that decorated Lakewood with flowering plants. The couple travelled to Sweden, Hawaii and Alaska, and Elly courageously participated in several local customs wherever she went. They were members of the area International Relations Group. Another highlight of her life was a number of friends, many from elementary school, who were lifetime social, recreational and travel companions for them. She will be remembered as a loving and caring mother and grandmother. Elly love to prepare Sunday dinners for her ever expanding family, and did so up until the last week of her life. Her great grandchildren called her "Grandma Grandma" and loved to visit her. Her family has been blessed to have her in our midst for so many years and she will be sorely missed by the many who knew and loved her. Surviving are two sons; Todd (Anne Wieland) Gustafson of Homer, AK, Terry (Sherrie) Gustafson of Scottsdale, AZ, two daughters; Ann (Philip) Gustafson Parks of W.E., Judy Gustafson of Jamestown, NY, 12 grandchildren; Hadley Gustafson of Carrboro, NC, Hilary (Mattias) Gustafson Schaefer of Heidelberg, Germany, Christopher Gustafson, Andrew Gustafson, Elizabeth (Damon) Kupper all of Portland, OR, Tabatha Faulkner, Owen (Amber) Cimo both of Jamestown, Amber (Matthew) Sandy of Buffalo, NY, Oliver Seger of Hawaii, Morgan Seger, Joshua (Rachelle Bollman) Ernewein of Hutto, TX and Ryan Tjohn of Phoenix, AZ and 18 great grandchildren. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jack Henderson Gustafson whom she married March 29, 1941 and who died August 25, 2004, a daughter Kay Gustafson, a sister Irene Danielson, a grandson Nicholas A. Parks who died August 12, 2012, and two great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 1, 2013, at the YWCA Lake Lodge on Terrace Ave. Lakewood, NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lakewood Memorial Library, the Chautauqua County Humane Society, or to the local Audubon Nature Center.