Obituaries: Mildred Dragon

Mildred (Bezanson) Dragon, 93, widow of Loren S. Dragon, Sr., passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday (February 24, 2016) at The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut.  Mildred (also known to friends and family as “Tootsie”) was born in Bristol on April 27, 1922 to the late Martha (Busse) and Raymond Bezanson.  She was a communicant member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Her most important role was being a loving and compassionate Mom and Grandmother.  She lived in Bristol until 1975 when she moved to South Alburg, VT, where she and her husband operated a summer restaurant (Kathy’s Kitchen) for many years.  She enjoyed playing Bingo, her trips to the casino, and spending time at the beach.  She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Loren and Stella Dragon of Southington; six daughters and sons-in-law: Donna and Donald Audet, Nan and Ed Grosky, and Nina and Bill Kelley, all of Florida, Dale and Wayne Goodrich of North Hero, VT, Cathy and Sal Ruscitti of Terryville, and Holly and Barry Simard of Bristol, with whom she resided from 2001 to 2010, when she entered The Pines at Bristol.  In July 2015 she moved to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut. She is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law: Donald and Barbara Bezanson of Waterbury; a sister: Deborah Ann (Bezanson) Spagnoletti of Houston, TX; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.  She was a loving “Aunt Tootsie” to numerous nieces and nephews.  Mildred was predeceased by four grandchildren: Barry, Jimmy, and Kristie Dragon and Shannon Lynn Gilbert.  The family wishes to thank the staff at both The Pines at Bristol and The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut for their compassion and care to our Mom.  Funeral services will be held Saturday (February 27, 2016) at 11 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Meadow Street, Bristol.  Burial will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol.  Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol on Saturday morning between 9 and 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Meadow St., Bristol, CT 06010.  Please visit Mildred’s memorial website at www.FUNKFUNERALHOME.com