Mildren E. Foxen passed away at her home on Thursday, July 25th with her family at her side. Millie, “Gussie” to her oldest friends, was born April 11th, 1921 in Jamestown, New York. She was the daughter of parents Carl and Hannah (Carlson) Gustafson who had immigrated to Jamestown from Sweden before her birth. Following graduation from Jamestown High School Millie entered a three-year nursing program conducted by the WCA Hospital in Jamestown. World War II was in full progress at this time. Following graduation from nursing college Millie accepted apposition at the
College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. It was at Wooster College that Millie met the love of her life and future husband Patrick, a naval student at the college. They married in Wooster.
After the war ended Pat and Millie moved to Los Angeles, California, to establish their home. Their two children Pamela and Paula were both born in Los Angeles. With her extensive nursing training and experience Millie found employment immediately. She was hired by the California State Polytechnic College in Pomona, California to organize a student health program at this young and growing school. She did this successfully and worked there about fourteen years. In the early years Cal Poly, during their sporting events, when an injury occurred Millie would grab her little black medical bag and dash onto the field to administer first aid. Later, as the school burgeoned, three M.D.s and several more nurses were added to the health staff. Millie was admired by her coworkers and so loved by the students they dedicated their 1958 College Yearbook to her.
Because of her husband’s career with Chevron Oil Company, frequent moves were common, and in 1964 her husband was transferred to San Francisco. Millie resigned her job at Cal Poly and went north with her husband to establish new residency in San Rafael in Marin County. Millie found a new position at the University of California at San Francisco. After two decades of life in Marin County, Millie went with her husband to Denver, Colorado where he had been transferred by his employer. At this time Millie resigned her job at the university and “hung up” her nursing uniform in retirement. They enjoyed Colorado and their friends for three years, after which time her husband also retired and they returned to California. They settled in the quaint village of Solvang in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. During their marriage and after retirement Millie and her husband traveled a great deal both in the U.S. and overseas.
Millie was a talented and hardworking person all her life. In the early “getting started” period of married home life she made time to sew and knit clothing for her children. Fortunately, her hobby was knitting, and this became her favorite form of relaxation. Millie deserved much credit for assisting her husband in receiving his engineering degree, and at his graduation ceremony she was awarded a formal “Putting-Hubby- Through” diploma at U.S.C.
Millie loved the Lord totally, and her family was her passion. Her favorite activity was the family’s annual trek to Newport Beach where they frolicked in the sand for a week.
Millie is survived by her husband Patrick, their two daughters Pamela Curran and Paula Weiss, Paula’s husband Bob, and numerous grand children and great grandchildren. She was a long-time member of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, the TX Chapter of PEO, and the Friendship House Auxiliary.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 9th at 11:00 am at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Building Fund of the SYV Presbyterian Church.
Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors.
