MILLBURY - H. Dorothy (Gullbrand) Schonning, 91, passed away peacefully on Sept. 10, at U. Mass. Memorial Hospital. She was born on February 23, 1926 in Worcester, to C. Emil and Ellen (Johnson) Gullbrand. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul M.A. Schonning in 1981.
She leaves three children, a son, Richard (Sonia) Schonning of Centerville, MA; two daughters, Paula (Alan) Peterson of Worcester; Nancy (Greg) Johnson of Sutton; five grandchildren, Seth (Nicole) Peterson of Millbury, Noah (Christy) Peterson of Lakewood Ranch, FL; Brett Johnson of Sutton, Adsila and Tala Schonning of Centerville, MA, and three great-grandchildren; Noah Peterson of Millbury, and Dylan and Britney Peterson of Lakewood Ranch, FL. She is also survived by her sister Lorna Hammarstrom of Worcester, and cousin, Sonja Gullbrand of Worcester. She also leaves many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her sister Ruth Peterson of Sutton, and George Stowe, her significant other for many years.
She attended the former Commerce High School in Worcester, and graduated from the New England Comptometer School. She had worked at the former Worcester Pressed Steel Co. in Worcester, and in later years she enjoyed working at Stowe Farm Orchards in Millbury. During World War II she traveled with a touring troupe throughout New England, singing and entertaining the wounded soldiers in area hospitals.
Dorothy was a loving mother who enjoyed entertaining and being around her family and friends. Her home was always full of love, fun, singing and laughter. She was a longtime and active member of Quinsigamond United Methodist Church, and enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years.
For the past ten years she was a resident of Care One in Millbury, MA., where the many staff and caretakers became her second family. The family would like to give a special thanks to Lucy and Sandra for their loving care of Mama.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd at 11a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Sutton, on the Common, Boston Road, Sutton, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA. 02452.