Wanda Juliana (Bogdan) Bradford

Wanda Juliana (Bogdan) Bradford of Stowe died on March 30, 2014, at the age of 90. She was born in Westfield, Mass., on May 8, 1923, to Antoni and Anna (Andruczyk) Bogdan, and grew up on the Bogdan family dairy farm. She attended the one-room Mundale School through eighth grade, and graduated from Westfield High School. She loved sports and was an avid ice skater. She entered the Norwalk Hospital School of Nursing (Connecticut) as a U.S. Cadet Nurse and graduated with a registered nursing license in 1947. She loved her training and valued lifelong friendships with her classmates.

Wanda married Charles Henry Bradford of Darien, Conn., and together they raised two sons, Chap and Bart, in Rowayton, Conn. Her family was her priority, and she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was active in the Norwalk Ski Club and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Rowayton Fire Department, but, most importantly, enjoyed memorable experiences with her family. Wanda loved the outdoors. Weekend ski trips and endless days boating on Long Island Sound created memories she loved to share.

Wanda loved working as a registered nurse in the operating room at Norwalk Hospital. She went on to work as an occupational health nurse at Nash Engineering, from which she retired before moving to Stowe in 1985. Lovingly known as “B,” she most enjoyed spending time with her family. Not one to sit still for long, Wanda’s retirement years were filled with playing golf, taking walks in the woods, fishing with her brother, skiing, snowshoeing, cooking, gardening, reading, rug-hooking and other crafts, as well as volunteering. She volunteered as camp nurse at Camp Exclamation Point, and served on the board of directors for Copley Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Copley Hospital Gift Shop, and was recognized for over 5,200 volunteer hours at Second Chance.

Wanda is survived by her son Bart and his wife Beth of Stowe; and grandchildren Will, Heather and Charlie; her daughter-in-law Patricia of New Milford, Conn.; and grandchildren Jennifer, Jamie, Jodi, Joan, Julie, Joseph, Jean, June and their families, including 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Laughlin of Titusville, Fla., and her brother John Bogdan of Stowe, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family. Wanda was predeceased by her husband, Charles Henry, and by her son, Charles Henry Jr., as well as siblings Frances, Joseph, Antoni, Alice, Agnes, Anna, Helen, Sophie and Edward.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church in Stowe on Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Copley Hospital Auxiliary, 528 Washington Highway, Morrisville, VT 05661.