Mary Jane “Janie” (Gouin) Gustafson, 70, of Auburn and formerly of Worcester lost her battle with COPD on Monday November 29, 2021 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center – University Campus.

Janie leaves her husband of 50 years, William “Billy” Gustafson, her children, Cynthia Gaudet and her husband, Ryan, Debra Gustafson, William A. Gustafson, Jr., and Christopher Gustafson, seven grandchildren, Ryan, Victoria, Paige, Cassandra, Marisol, Carlos and Samuel, a brother, Louis Gouin and his wife, Sharon, her Godson, Dennis J. Fryc and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, an Uncle Edward “Sonny” Gouin of Uxbridge and cousins. Janie was born in Worcester and lived there almost all of her life. She was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Helen (Volungavitch) Gouin and by her sister and brother-in-law Carol and Andy Fryc and by her brother Edward Gouin.

Mrs Gustafson was a committed homemaker, certified dietitian as well as a clerk for several years for the U.S. Postal Service. Before that she worked for St. Vincent Hospital. Janie was the first in her family to graduate Doherty High School, making her parents proud. She was a former member of Our Lady of Vilna Church.

Janie was tough as nails, hard working and always full of love, kindness and forgiveness. She loved children and opened her heart and home to many in need of sanctuary and food, she was a mom to many. She received the Key to the City for dedicating countless volunteer hours of service to the children of the Worcester Public Schools.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday December 7, 2021 from HENRY – DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St, Worcester with a Mass at 10:30 AM in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St, Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday December 6, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for Ovarian Cancer, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, Ma, 02215