Obituary: Mildred Ellen Widell

Mildred Ellen Widell (nee Hallowell), 94, of Haddonfield, died peacefully in her sleep at the Masonic Home of Burlington on Thursday.

Born on March 7, 1918, in Camden, she was the daughter of Edward and Wilhelmina (Minnie) Hallowell. After her father was transferred to Toronto, Mildred spent her youth in Canada and never lost her love for all things Canuck. She skated in the New Year at Christy Pitts, tobogganed in High Park, toured the Royal Winter Fair and spent summers on Lake Ontario at Sunnyside canoing in “Rover”.

Mildred was a follower of Christ. At the age of 8, she survived diphtheria and credited her healing to the faith and prayers of her father. She attended Oswald Smith’s church in Toronto where she learned the old hymns which she sang for the rest of her life. When she returned to the United States, she soon joined the Bible Presbyterian Church of Collingswood. As a member of the Crusade Bible Class, she contributed her time and talents to countless works for the poor and elderly. When her pastor, Dr. Carl McIntire, turned the old Admiral Hotel in Cape May into a Christian retreat, she led the interior decoration for the six-story hotel.

Mildred was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a dedicated and loving wife. On June 3, 1939, she married Wilbert E. Widell, who became president of Carl E. Widell and Son, a heavy construction company. They were married 72 years. Despite a stroke in the 1980s which left her husband dependent on a cane, her love, spunk and fortitude enabled them to travel the world together.

She was an exceptional craftsperson and seamstress and owned and operated The Golden Cricket gift store in Haddonfield during the 1980’s.

Mildred is survived by five children; Gwendolyn Widell of New York City, NY, Marilyn Pratt of Manassas, VA, Nelson Widell of Pennington, NJ, Cherilyn Widell of Chestertown, MD, and Bethlyn Miller of Issaquah, WA, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Services will be held on 11 a.m. Wednesday at the , 29 Warwick Rd. All may call on the family starting at 10 a.m. in the Sayre welcome center at the church. A private interment will be held at Locustwood Memorial Park following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion House, 165 Front St., Issaquah, WA 98027.

Arrangements by .