Obituaries
Obituary: Mary Bergstrom Flood, 87, formerly of Wallingford
Mary was a successful entrepreneur, theater aficionado, avid sports fan and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
WALLINGFORD, CT - (From West Haven Funeral Home) St. Petersburg, FL - Mary Bergstrom Flood, 87, formerly of West Haven, Connecticut, and Londonderry, Vermont, was called home on December 8, 2021, surrounded by her family.
She was born March 10, 1934, in New Haven, Connecticut. She graduated from the original West Haven High School in 1951. After graduating, she worked for Radio Free Europe in Munich, Germany.
Upon returning home, she worked for SNET, US Motors, and the VA Hospital. Mary went on to become the owner/operator of New Haven Medical Associates and Apollo West Haven Telephone Answering Services where she dedicated herself to her clients and staff.
In her early years, Mary cherished spending time with her cousins Judy, Marilyn and John at Momauguin Beach. She enjoyed roller skating and ice skating, attending school events, having fun at Savin Rock Park, and cheering on the minor league hockey team, New Haven Blades (Nighthawks).
She later learned to sew and knit, making many of her own dresses, and later outfits and coats for her children and grandchildren. She even reupholstered furniture from time to time.
Mary had a passion for theater and loved watching her children perform in dance recitals and musicals. She would often be seen at the Oakdale, Shubert, Palace and Long Wharf Theaters. She would travel to New York City for various Broadway shows followed by meals at popular NYC restaurants. She was also a great sports enthusiast!
She could be found cheering at the Mets, Yankee, Giants/Jets Stadiums, and Madison Square Garden for hockey, football, basketball, and concerts. She was enthusiastically loud for the UConn Lady Huskies basketball team.
Mary had a gift for bringing people together for dinner, holidays, and birthday parties. She was a lively host with a great sense of humor, grand laugh and beautiful smile.
After dedicating herself to her family and business, Mary, then 55 years young, and Herb (and dog Honey), retired to their home at Magic Mountain in Londonderry, Vermont. This home too was host to many of the best memories over the years.
Skiing, sledding, ice skating/playing hockey on the pond in the yard, hosting visits for family and friends from Connecticut, a summer retreat to the Ursline Sisters of West Haven, CT and Long Island, New York, a lovely setting for an outdoor wedding, and countless other activities happened there.
Twenty-two years later they would move one last time to their summer home in St. Petersburg, FL. There, not being fully satisfied with the “retirement thing”, she pursued an office manager/bookkeeper position with a local retirement community.
She took pleasure in assisting residents sell their homes, helped with their concerns, and simply meeting new people made her happy. She also volunteered in her own retirement community as secretary to the Board of Directors.
Mary is sorely missed by family and friends. She will be remembered as one who listened carefully, counseled wisely, critiqued honestly, shared generously, and helped others in myriad ways, most times unseen.
Mary is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Herbert R. Flood, and her children Patricia A. Zona, Robert D. Cohoon, Kevin C. Cohoon Flood, Nancy E. Flood (Albert Conte) and Colleen M. Flood. Mary had special admiration for her niece Maryellen, and nephews George and Timothy, their spouses and children, her wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren and dear friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Elizabeth Clancy and George Charles Bergstrom, and brother George Bergstrom (Betty) of Milford, CT.
The family wishes to thank the efforts of the healthcare staff and support teams at Northside Heart Institute, St. Petersburg General Hospital, Bayfront Healthcare St. Petersburg, St. Anthony’s Hospital, and especially, Suncoast Hospice Coral Team.
A celebration of life will be held at West Haven Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 6, from 3-5:30pm with a brief memorial service following.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Mary with a donation in her name to Suncoast Hospice Coral Team at www.suncoasthospicefoundation.
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