Alice M. (Griffin) Mustonen

Alice M. (Griffin) Mustonen passed away on April 2nd, at the age of 87. She grew up in Warren, Maine. At age 16, she graduated from Medford High School, in Medford, MA. She graduated from Tufts University in 1951.

She took her first teaching job in Canton, MA, at the age of 20, where she was too young to join the Teachers’ Union. She loved to tell that story!

A fifty-year resident in the town of Marshfield, she taught Kindergarten and First Grade for many years. She was one of the first teachers to wear jeans and sneakers to work, believing that children needed educators that could relate to them, and be on their level, both literally and figuratively.

She was active in the North & South Rivers Watershed Association in Norwell, as well the South Shore Audubon Society in Marshfield, where she was Volunteer of the Year in 1996. Her passions were her home, gardening, nature, and the birds, marsh and ocean that she could see from her window.

Alice harvested weeds all year long and dried them for Dwyer Farm Day, creating an annual tradition of selling her beautiful arrangements, with all proceeds going to the Farm. That tradition continues today.

With the help of her children and wonderful caregivers, Alice remained in her home throughout her retirement, where she continued to enjoy the wildlife and nature that she loved so much.

Alice was predeceased by her husband, O. Edward Mustonen. She is survived, by her daughter Patricia Olinger, and her husband, Donald E. Olinger Jr. of Maine, Eric Signature Theship-Rosales and his wife, Kathleen, of Minnesota, and Kurt Mustonen, of Marshfield. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Rachel Olinger Steeves and her husband, Nathan Steeves, Elizabeth Olinger, Alexander Theship-Rosales and Reed Theship-Rosales. Her first great granddaughter is expected in July.

At her request, services will be private. Donations may be made in her name, to Hospice of the South Shore, The Audubon Society, or to the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. 

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