Worcester - Gunhild Elizabeth (Nyman) Alfield, (“Gunnie”), 100, recent recipient of the "Key to the City," died peacefully at her home on Thursday, October 27, 2016. She was born on September 19, 1916, in Worcester, the daughter of Carl I. and Anna Maria (Wall) Nyman.
Gunhild graduated from High School of Commerce in 1935. Both of her parents died the following year within 2 weeks of each other. She married the love of her life, Earle H. Alfield, on July 27, 1940. He died October 21, 1981 after 41 years of marriage.
Gunnie worked at the Capitol Cafeteria for 6 years and later at Barnard's for 16 years in the glove department. She was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she belonged to the Mary Elizabeth Circle and enjoyed many trips with the Travel Club! For almost 30 years, she belonged to the Silver Sneakers water aerobics class at the Greendale Y, where she enjoyed many good times with the "gang," Eileen, Mary and Ruth until 2009. She was a member of the Scandinavian Club and took great pride in her Swedish Heritage. She was a wonderful cook and her feasts were enjoyed by her loving family.
She is predeceased by her husband and parents, 3 sisters, Corinne Werme, Helen Arnesen, Florence Erickson, 1 brother, Carl Nyman, a niece, June Thomson, and a nephew, William Erickson.
She was a wonderful and loving mother to her daughter, Susan (Louis) Mondor of Gansevoort, NY, Stephen (Mary) Alfield, of Mystic, CT and Alan Alfield, with whom she lived. She was thrilled to welcome 5 grandchildren, Kathryn Mondor Ciko (Michael) of Minooka, IL, Jennifer Mondor D'Addio (Pasquale IIII) of Saratoga Springs, NY, David Mondor (Kimberly) of Harleysville, PA, Jonathan Alfield (Stacy) of Gales Ferry, Ct,, and Heather Alfield Dalton (Adam) of Ledyard, CT. She was so happy that she got to know 12 great-grandchildren, Marissa, Zachary, and Allison Ciko of Minooka, IL Joshua and Elena D'Addio of Saratoga Springs, NY, Faith, Tessa, and Natalie Dalton of Ledyard, Ct, Brandon and Cameron Mondor of Harleysville, PA, and Marissa and Liam Alfield of CT. She leaves 2 nieces, Dianne (Bob) Majewski of York, ME and Karen (Bill) Daigle of Sunapee, NH. She leaves 2 nephews, Richard Arnesen of Myrtle Beach, SC and Carl Nyman (Lynne) of Eastham, MA and many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her long and happy life will be held on Sat., Nov. 5. A burial service will be held at 10 a.m. in All Faiths Cemetery, 9 Island Road, Worcester. Services continue at Trinity Lutheran Church Chapel. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., followed by the Memorial Service at 12 Noon. There will be Fellowship afterward in the church. The family is requesting that flowers be omitted and donations be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Good Samaritan Fund, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester MA 01609. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street is directing arrangements.