Obituary of Lucille B. Breen

Lucille (Bergstrom) Breen, 99, of Loomis Village, South Hadley, formerly of Framingham, MA peacefully passed away on January 14, 2023, just a few days short of her 100th birthday. Lucille was born in the same farmhouse in Evansville, Minnesota where her father was born, and her grandfather homesteaded in the mid 1800’s. Lucille was the daughter of Frank Bergstrom and Bertha (Peterson) Bergstrom. Being an only child on a farm without electricity or indoor plumbing in her early years meant chores were a way of life; helping her father in the barn and her mother manage the house. Lucille recalled that her first job was cleaning the glass chimneys of the household kerosene lamps. Lucille milked cows and helped harvest the wheat and oats, and could remember farming with horses and her father’s first tractor. She recalled the terror she felt on her first ride in the family’s first automobile. “Where are the horses?” Growing up, spiritual and social life was centered around Lake Christina Lutheran Church in Evansville. Lucille and her best friend, Gloria from the neighboring farm, walked to the local one room schoolhouse, graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, then taught school for a year before seeking adventure together in Washington DC. There Lucille met her beloved husband Jack. Family considerations and employment opportunities took the family to Framingham, MA where Lucille and Jack raised their five children. By attending classes in the evening, Lucille earned a Master’s Degree in elementary education and then found joy and satisfaction in working with children through various positions with the Framingham school system. So that she could join Jack in bicycling around their favorite spots on Nantucket and in Weston VT, Lucille taught herself to ride a bicycle at age 55. Later in life, Lucille enjoyed spending time with and caring for her grandchildren, gardening, cheering for the Red Sox, writing haiku, and traveling. She hiked in the shadow of the Matterhorn, toured the room where Mozart composed, walked in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, and explored the pyramids of Egypt. Lucille is predeceased by her husband of 42 years, John Edward (Jack) Breen. Lucille will be dearly missed by her children and their families: John and his wife Lynn of Litchfield NH, Paul and his wife Elizabeth of Amherst MA, Peter and his wife Lisa of Long Branch NJ, Barbara Breen-Toran and her husband Jeffrey of New Cumberland PA, and Mark of Santa Barbara CA, and also by ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Lucille enjoyed a special bond and affection with the dear friends she made among the residents and staff of Loomis Village. Looking back on her life, Lucille would often say, “I’ve had food and drink, and tender care, and all that makes the day so fair”. A memorial service will be held in the springtime at St Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury MA, where her remains will rest alongside Jack’s. In lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, please send donations to Whole Children, Northampton, MA.