NORTHAMPTON - Lillian Mielke, 92, of Milton Street, Florence, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at Overlook at Northampton.

She was born March 15, 1917, in Easthampton to Frank Drondoski and Skolastica Soltanska. She attended local schools, graduating promerito from Easthampton High School. In 1935, at the age of 17, she left the security of the family farm to work at the former Northampton State Hospital as an attendant nurse. While there, she took courses at Northampton Commercial College and soon had the skills to transfer to the treasurer's office. There she worked her way up the ladder until she retired 41 years later as the hospital's director of human resources.

After retirement, while caring for her ailing husband, she developed a passion for writing. She was especially pleased with her memoirs describing her time as a young attendant nurse at Northampton State Hospital in the 1930s.

Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Edward R. Mielke, in 1988. She was also predeceased by her sisters Genevieve Cousineau and Josephine Bogdan.

She is survived by her three children, Elaine Hogan of Florence, Robert Mielke of Port Orange, Fla., and Martha Phelp of Florence; her four grandchildren, Francis Hogan, Brenda Fydenkevez, Aaron Barton and Heidi Brigham; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held at Pease and Gay Funeral Home, 425 Prospect St., Northampton, Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a brief memorial service at 6 p.m. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Leeds, will be at the convenience of the family.