Maureen D. Gustafson

Maureen Dunn Gustafson, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home May 23, 2026, following a six month battle with health issues. Maureen was born in Chester, England on November 5, 1941. Maureen was the oldest child of the late Frederick and Dorris Dunn.

Maureen came to the United States from England in 1965 to be a nannie. Her nannie career began on Long Island, NY and then she moved to Washington, CT with the family, eventually caring for their six children. She intended to stay for only one year, but she met her future husband, Fred, in 1969. They married in 1971 at Salem Covenant Church in Washington Depot, CT. Fred and Maureen celebrated 55 beautiful years of marriage together. They had three children of their own, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Maureen was very active in her church and could usually be found in the nursery or the kitchen. Maureen was in charge of providing child care for the Christian Women’s Club in Manchester for several years. She also did home daycare for many years, providing daycare mostly for teachers so that she could be at home during the summer for her own children. Maureen cared for the daycare kids as if they were her own, even having one child stay with her for several weeks while her care givers spent time in Florida during the winter. On her days off, Maureen would volunteer with the American Cancer Society, driving patients to and from their treatments.

Maureen enjoyed camping at Pilgrim Pines in West Swanzey, New Hampshire. She spent several weeks there each summer with her family. After retiring, Maureen and Fred enjoyed spending their winters in sunny Florida at Saddlebag Lake Resort in Lake Wales. While wintering in Lake Wales, Maureen loved volunteering at the Care Center thrift store.

Maureen leaves behind her husband Walter (Fred) Gustafson; daughter Victoria (Bruce) Jensen of Aurora, NE; sons Phillip Gustafson of New Britain, CT and Matthew (April) Gustafson of Coventry, CT; her brother David (Janie) Dunn; sisters Rosemarie Lardner and Julie (Bill) Croydon, all of England; and sisters-in-law Ginny (Andy) Napolitano of Bethlehem, CT and Elaine Babiyan of New Milford, CT. Maureen’s greatest joy and love was spending time, laughing and visiting with her grandchildren: Drew (Mandy) Jensen, Elliott (Erika) Jensen, Claire (Jayven) Krepel, Sophie (Preston Smith) Gustafson, Jane Gustafson, Mae Gustafson, Tyler (Jessica) Gustafson, and Brandon Gustafson, and her great-granddaughter Sadie Gustafson. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews in the United States and England. She will be greatly missed by her faithful canine companion, Abby.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St, Berlin, CT 06037. The family invites guests to a gathering at the church following the service. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin is in charge of arrangements.