MILDRED FRAZEE TUTAN's Obituary
Mildred Frazee Tutan of Coral Gables, Florida passed away peacefully on
April 5, 2018 at age 89 in Lake Jackson, Tx. Born Nov 13, 1928 in Barnegat, NJ, where Mildred spent her childhood. Early memories include picking blueberries and clamming, seeing the German dirigible Hindenburg erupt in flames and crash in Lakehurst, NJ in 1937, and spending summers on Long Beach Island, NJ.
A gifted student with a curious intellect, Mildred graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke University in 1950. While at Duke, she met her future husband and love of her life, Charles Tutan, whom she married in 1951. Never having been to Florida, “Little Mil” lovingly followed Charlie to Coral Gables, where they lived happily for 66 years. While Charlie worked with his father in their automobile dealership, Mildred was a schoolteacher and librarian in Coral Gables for many years at Ponce de Leon middle school. She was a lifelong member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Her interests included spending summers at her beloved Jersey shore with her family, as well as volunteer work at Granada Presbyterian Church where she and Charlie were members for over 50 years. At Granada she was an avid member of the “Happy Folders.” She and Charlie also served as chaperones to the Coral Gables High School band on many trips to Europe. The Tutan home was a happy one, frequently a holiday gathering spot for family and friends.
With her optimistic attitude and sunny personality, Mildred was a joy to be around. She will be remembered with a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eyes, and a perpetually positive outlook. Mildred was preceded in death by her loving husband Charlie (9/22/17), parents Leroy and Evelyn Frazee, and sister Mabel Colmer. She is survived by her daughters, Beth Kundert(Glen) of Dunwoody, Ga; Cathy Eller(Buddy) of Lake Jackson, Tx; grandsons Charles Eller(Ashley, son Koa) of Suwanee, Ga; Cameron Eller of Sandy Springs, Ga; brother George Frazee(Carol) of Fort Pierce, Fl. A private graveside service will be held in Miami where Mildred will be laid to rest. Donations in Mildred’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
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