Mildred Elizabeth Radford

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ky. - Mildred Elizabeth Spofford Radford, 82, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Sterling, Ky. She was born May 1, 1931, in Lowell, Mass., to the late Foster and Dorothy Stone Spofford.

Mildred graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in chemistry, where she also met and married Harrison Edward Radford of Newport, previously deceased. She later pursued an avid love of painting, producing scores of large abstract oil paintings that are treasured by her family.

After a divorce, Mildred spent much of the remainder of her life in Puerto Rico where she worked for the United States Government until her retirement. Her passions in Puerto Rico included fishing, sitting on the beach, tending her wild tropical garden, local and national politics, and playing cards. Orchids bloomed all over her house, porch and yard. To say she had a green thumb is understatement.

Children include three daughters, Sarah Hirsch (husband the Hon. Geoffrey Hirsch) of Bradford, Amy Cecil (husband Courtney Cecil) of Jeffersonville, Ky., and Susan Hedgecock of Owingsville, Ky.; and one son, Foster Villalongo of Loiza, Puerto Rico.

Mildred is survived by her two sisters, Mary French (husband Jack French) of Hopkinton and Emily Jones of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. She also leaves nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and may nieces and nephews.

Her adventurous spirit lives on in us all.

Services will be held privately in family locations.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in Concord Monitor on Jun. 26, 2013.