Mildred Van Sack, 94

The following information comes from the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home.

Mildred O. Van Sack, age 94, formerly of Trumbull and Fairfield, wife of the late Lawrence G. Van Sack, passed away Oct. 19 at Good Shepherd Hospice Center in Port Jefferson, N.Y. 
Mildred and her husband Lawrence met at age 12 while attending Bassick Junior High School in 1931. Their storybook union spanned 70 years, including 60 years of marriage that ended with his death in 2001. Like many of her generation, Mildred had incredible emotional fortitude. She was fiercely independent, active, and always ready to laugh. 
Mildred was born in Bridgeport, daughter of the late George and Helma Verrelle. She and her family resided in the tight-knit community of Country Road in Fairfield, where friendships and hijinks were never in short supply. An excellent cook, she was the consummate entertainer, known for her love of parties and holiday gatherings.
But perhaps nothing topped the enjoyment Mildred found in being a grandmother. She reveled in hosting her grandchildren at the beautiful home she and her husband built in Trumbull, and in splashing around its picturesque pool with them. Especially important to her was the holiday season, which merged two of her favorite things: Christmas and grandchildren. Epitomizing this was Mildred’s ritual to crochet each grandchild’s Christmas stocking on the day of their birth.
An avid athlete who enjoyed golf, she was a member of one the first women’s softball leagues. In 1937, she was starting catcher for the Bryant Plastics team, which won the Bridgeport Industrial League Championship. 
Even as she raised her son, Mildred embarked upon her own career, earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1963, and later, a Master’s Degree from the New Haven State Teachers College. 
Mildred taught business education at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., and then at Darien High School. In 1979, the local board of education feted her with an award for outstanding service to the community. She retired in 1980. 
Mildred is survived by her son, Daryl; her daughter-in-law Randi; as well as three grandchildren, Jessica Van Sack-Downey of Boston, Ian Van Sack of Smithtown, N.Y., and Meredith Jones of Holbrook, N.Y.; her beloved great-grandchildren, Sagan Lawrence Downey of Boston and Levi Pierce Jones of Holbrook, N.Y., as well as several nieces and nephews. 
Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. A graveside service will be held Friday at 11am in Lakeview Cemetery, 885 Boston Ave., Bridgeport. To send online condolences please visitwww.redgatehennessy.com