Jenny W. “Miina” (Komulainen) Bylander, 92, of Salem NH passed away peacefully at her home Thurs., Dec 1st.
Miina was born at the family farm in West Paris, ME. She was one of seven children of Annie and Kalle Komulainen who had emigrated from Finland in the early 1900’s. She and her siblings learned English in their one-room grammar school in Tuelltown, to which they skied in the winter. She graduated at the top of her class from West Paris High School. She then joined her eldest sister in Portland and enrolled in a secretarial course. She met her future husband, Donald, a navy photographer, at a dance at Ft. Williams. After the war, she became a navy wife and followed her husband to postings in Philadelphia, Pensacola and Rhode Island settling in Salem after he retired with 20 years of service.
She was a member of the Finnish-American Heritage Society of Maine and the First Congregational Church in Salem and was active in the Philathea club. Miina enjoyed her vegetable garden and made chocolate chip cookies weekly. Until last year, she loved summering at her camp in Harpswell, ME.
She was predeceased by her husband Donald Bylander, Sr.
Survived by her children: Christine Englehart of Flemington, NJ; Susan Bylander of Portland, ME and Donald Bylander, Jr. of Salem; her sister Elvi Morin of Portland, ME her brother Hugo Komulainen of Standish, ME; her granddaughter Elizabeth Ricci of Sergeantsville, NJ and two great grandchildren; sister-in-law Miriam Murphy of Des Moines, IA and many nieces and nephews
There will be no calling hours. A Graveside service will be Fri., Dec. 9th at 11AM at Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem. Arrangements are by the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH.