Mildred Juan Garner

Surrounded by her loving family, Mildred Juanita Williams Garner, 89, of Madison, Wisconsin died peacefully Wednesday evening, January 13, 2010, in the comfort of a hospice setting in Madison.  Known to her family as Mom, Juan, Grandma Juan, or G'ma, she lived her last days with the grace and dignity she led her life.  The cause of death was congestive heart failure.     Born to Carl and Pearl Williams in Quinton, Oklahoma on June 27, 1920, Juan was predeceased by three siblings, Allison, George, and Jean Williams (Stuart).  Juan was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and she also lived in Texas, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey before moving to Madison in 1964.    Juan was an ongoing inspiration to her family, who sought her advice and support.  She valued her family and friends and was always willing to drop everything and just talk.  Adored by her grandchildren, she was also a good companion to the many neighbors and acquaintances she made in her later years.  She was the cool grandma, with an opinion on a multitude of subjects.   A television news fan and avid liberal, her hope soared with the 2008 election of Barack Obama. She remained, to the end, a thoughtful, reflective, and spirited woman who was passionate about her politics, certain in her convictions, and simply mad about Rachel Maddow.   Juan enjoyed the challenge of the New York Times crossword puzzle, becoming absorbed in a well-written novel, and taking a leisurely cross-country road trip - just like her dad.  She was always ready for a competitive game of Scrabble. She instilled in her family the value of a spicy gazpacho and the recognition that chocolate is a fifth basic food group.  She was a cat lover and her latest companion, Sydney, is wondering where she is.  Juan was an accomplished knitter who effortlessly made the most beautiful creations.    Her manners and her meticulous handwriting were old school'.  She believed in the importance of a sense of humor and accepting people for who they are.   Known in later years for chronicling her life in daily journals, Juan remained committed to keeping her mind sharp in old age. She certainly accomplished that goal. She was a source of strength to the end for her family, many of whom were at her bedside when she died.   She was predeceased by her husband Richard Harrison Garner in 1973. Juan is survived by three children, Bruce Garner and his wife Elspeth Mungall of Madison, Michael Garner and his wife Lynne Garner of Middletown, CT, Sarah Garner and her husband John Niles of Lexington, MA and Sue Slattery, her former daughter-in-law, of New Glarus.  She proudly observed all of her grandchildren gathered at a recent wedding and remarked, ""There is not a dud in the bunch.""  Juan's grandchildren are Nick and Meredith Niles, of St. Louis, MO and Boston, MA, Calvin and Case Garner of Washington, DC and Middletown, CT, Sarah Garner and Matt Wolf of Hong Kong, Molly Garner of Madison, Emily Garner and Michael Weiser of New York City, Megan Garner of Seattle, WA, Alison Dodge and Ryan Ramig of Madison, and Ian Gatley and his fiancee Liza Zimmerman of Madison.   Juan's four wonderful great grandchildren include: Liam Dodge, Ariana and Rocket Ramig, and the newest addition, Chloe Juanita Wolf.  Juan was predeceased by her great-grandchild Lulah Dodge.   At Juan's request there will be no funeral.  She had already begun preparing for the next big family event this June.  A gathering of friends and family to celebrate her life is being planned for that time.  The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Madison AIDS Network.  Cremation arrangements are being handled by Cress Funeral Home of Madison, WI.   The family wants to express their profound gratitude for the loving, compassionate care extended to Juan during her brief stay at HospiceCare in Madison and to the staff of the Meriter Hospital Heart and Vascular Unit.  During the last years of Juan's life her Meriter Home Health nurse, Cathy Feldhausen, became a good friend.  Juan looked forward to her visits.   These are the days that we must savour And we must enjoy as we can These are the days that will last forever You've got to hold them in your heart.   Mildred Juanita Williams Garner - your eternal light illuminates our collective heart.