Mildred W. Dean

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has received word of the death of former employee Mildred W. Dean on October 10, 2008 at the JML Care Center in Falmouth.  She was 91.

Millie was born in Adams, MA, on December 20, 1916. She was the daughter of the late Justyn Wilk and Aniela (Kocierski) Wilk. She attended schools in Adams and graduated from Adams High School. She also attended the Bliss Business School.

Millie joined the Institution in January of 1964 working for John Ryther as a secretary in the Biology Department.  In 1965 she was transferred to the Business Office working in Accounts Payable and in 1967 moved to the Document Library as a Library Assistant.   In 1974 she was promoted to Staff Assistant in the Document Library. She retired in 1983. She was rehired on a casual basis and left in 1984.

Her previous work experience included eighteen years with Montgomery Ward and Company terminating as a Department Manager.  Millie also worked for the IRS and Sears Roebuck and Company.

She enjoyed travel and working in her yard.  She was also very devoted to her grandchildren.

She was the widow of Cyril J. Dean, whom she married in November 1943. He died on March 16, 1963.

She is survived by a daughter, Virginia D. Kussman, and her husband, Dr. Michael J. Kussman, of Chevy Chase, MD; two grandchildren, Joshua D. Kussman and his wife, Laura, of Arlington, VA, and Deana Kussman and her husband, Steven Quan, of Bethesda, MD.; one sister, Doree Marceau of North Adams; two brothers, Henry Wilk of Adams and Arthur E. Wilk Sr. of Williamstown; and nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by five brothers and one sister, Frank, John, Stanley, Theodore, and Justyn Wilk, and Sophie George.

Graveside services took place on Tuesday, October 14, at the Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown, MA. Memorial donations can be made to the JML Care Center in Falmouth or to the charity of the donor’s choice through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.

(Some material for this obituary was taken  from the Cape Cod Times)