OBITUARY: Mary Ellen "Mimi" Winship Githler Packard

Mary Ellen “Mimi” Winship Githler Packard, 86, of Longboat Key and Bradenton, died April 5.

Born June 12, 1923, in Wakefield, Mass., she graduated from Smith College in 1944. She married her husband, Frederick, and moved to Princeton, N.J., where she lived for 35 years and spent summers in Cape Cod, Mass. She lived in Longboat Key and Bradenton since 1975 and enjoyed travel, oil painting, bridge and theater.

Mrs. Packard was active in The Smith Club of Sarasota. She briefly taught Latin, and she had a wide circle of friend. Mrs. Packard is remembered for her sense of humor and as a witty raconteur.

Mrs. Packard was preceded by her husband in 1944, and recently, by her husband, Richard Packard. She is survived by her sons, Frederick Githler, of Denver, and Charles Githler, of Sarasota; daughter, Priscilla Githler, of Sarasota; sister, Stephanie Blacke, of Orleans, Mass.; and four grandchildren.

A service will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, at The Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.