Ann L. Sefton

PAXTON - It is with great sadness that the family of Ann (Porkka) Sefton formerly of Paxton, MA announce her death following a 5-year decline associated with primary progressive aphasia, a condition that eventually results in the inability to speak. It is a form of dementia.

Ann, 95, was cared for by the Bethany Healthcare in Framingham. Her care was exemplary, and she was free each day to move and walk and to sing. And while the words were rarely clear she sang with abandon.

Ann is the widow of William John (Jack) Sefton III who passed away in March 1983 after over 30 years of marriage. She had 4 children Melissa Wolf and her husband David, Michael and his wife Mindy, Kerry True and her husband Michael, and William John (Jay) Sefton and his wife Laura. Ann had 7 grandchildren Abigail, Shannon, James, Daniel, Alison, Casey, and Elizabeth and 4 great grandchildren. The family is growing and will miss the joy and kindness Ann brought to family holidays and events. Ann was creative and enjoyed quilting, painting, and gardening often crafting greeting cards from photos of the flowers she grew.

Ann grew up in Brooklyn moving to Englewood, New Jersey in a home built by her father, Arvo. She is a graduate of Trenton State University in New Jersey, and she took graduate coursework at the University of Rhode Island Library Science program. She taught at The Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, before moving to Massachusetts. After her children entered school, Ann taught remedial reading in the Marlborough Public Schools. She served as the president of the League of Women Voters in Marlborough and was featured in the Marlborough Enterprise for her role. She worked as a dispatcher for the Paxton Police and Fire Departments and was assigned badge P-49. Later, Ann worked as the evening librarian at Anna Maria College and finally at Clark University where she served for over 10 years. She very much delighted in working with the students.

Ann is predeceased by her husband, Jack, and her three siblings Ellen Luthin, Peter Porkka, and Paul Porkka. Her parents, Hilma and Arvo Porkka, were from Finland, and she was a proud Finnish American. Her life was one of resilience and grace and she had many friends with whom she worked.

Words taken from Ann’s 2015 Holiday card:

“Take care of yourselves, rest as much as you can, read good books, sing loud songs (when you’re alone…would be best) and read a poem now and then.”

These are certainly words to live by and this can be said of how Ann Sefton lived her life. We are blessed by her memory.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ann’s family from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 14th, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, January 15th, at the funeral home. Burial will be held at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made to Bethany Health Care Center online at https://www.bethanyhealthcare.org/donate/ .

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit her tribute wall.