Elaine Marie Gustavson Mullen (91), beloved mother to daughters Pam and Betsey and a long time Tewksbury resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 22, 2023 after a short illness.
She was known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as "Mimmie" and as "Mrs. Mullen" to the countless students she taught, counseled and loved during her tenure within the Tewksbury School System.
Elaine was born in Somerville on April 20, 1932 to the late Arvid Gustavson and Amelia Letasz Gustavson. She was the middle child in a family of three and graduated from Arlington High School in 1949. From there she went on to Lowell State Teachers College where she graduated with a teaching degree in elementary education.
Teaching was Elaine’s passion in life. She taught hundreds of students over a span of 30 years in the Tewksbury School System where she was beloved by teachers and students alike. Many of her students came back long after graduating in order to visit and reminisce about the "glory days."
Elaine loved her school kids as much as her own children and would often find herself attending their baseball, football, and hockey games in order to root them on. She also loved to cook, read, and entertain. During her life she enjoyed several travel adventures with friends and family including visits to Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Elaine was known for her great sense of humor, quick wit, and doing 'crazy' things.....in short, she really knew how to make people laugh. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Elaine is survived by her daughters, Pam Murphy and husband John of Peachtree City, GA; their children Brian and Lindsay; Betsey Cuddy and husband John of North Reading MA; their children Kristen, Justin, Johnny, Christine and Katie; her brother Arvid “Gus” Gustavson of Hampton Falls, NH and 10 great grandchildren; Amelia, Sullivan, Callahan, Jameson, Ryan, Lily, Jayla, Brayden, Kinsley and Olivia: along with several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 23 years, Robert Mullen; her father, Arvid Gustavson; her mother, Amelia Gustavson; one sister, Sylvia Amsden; and a grandson, Robert Levesque.
Calling hours are Friday, April 28th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury, immediately followed by funeral services to be held at the funeral home and interment at Tewksbury Cemetery, 172 East St., Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org or by mailing to 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306