Louise Halstead, 91

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Louise Mudge Halstead passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2017, at the age of 91.

Louise was born November 18, 1925, in German Flats, N.Y. Her parents Erwin and Florence (Minton) Mudge predeceased her as well as her husband, Irv H. Halstead, and son, Gary D. Halstead.

Louise was very ambitious. She graduated from Gowanda High School in 1943. She then went on to study aviation at Stephens College in Colombia, Mo., where she learned to repair and pilot airplanes.

On July 29, 1946, Louise married her husband Irv, and they began a life together raising three children, Gary, Pamela and Wendy.  Once the children were older, Louise attended Westchester School for Medical and Dental Assistants in N.Y., where she graduated in 1974. She then studied nursing at Phelps Memorial Hospital in North Tarrytown, N.Y., and became a private duty nurse. Later in life Louise and her husband moved to Venice, Fla., where she continued her career as a nurse.

Louise and her husband spent many summers at their second home in Monterey, Mass. In 1999, they sold their house in Monterey and moved to Florida as full time residents. In 2004, Louise moved to Sheffield to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Richard Hill, after the passing of her husband.

Louise was an avid tennis and golf player for many years. She also loved reading, game shows, crosswords, and some would say she was a professional tag saler. Louise loved her family, and they loved her right back.  

She is survived by two daughters, Pamela Stevens-Gonzales of Lakewood, Colo., and Wendy L. Hill and son-in-law Richard E. Hill of Sheffield, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Dawn Factor, Rockwell Stevens Jr., Michael Stevens, Dale Halstead, Geoffrey Hill, Daniel Hill and Shelley Schuler; two step-grandchildren, Richard E. Hill Jr. and Jennifer Jarvis; as well as many great-grandchildren.

Funeral notice: There will be a small private family service at the home of Wendy and Richard Hill for the family members. Donations in memory of Louise M. Halstead may be made to Hospice of Western Mass through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, who is caring for the arrangements.