Lilja (Mustonen) Bradford

CHESHIRE, Conn. – Lilja (Mustonen) Bradford, 94, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at VITAS at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the wife of the late Philip Bradford.

Mrs. Bradford was born Aug. 17, 1931, in Greenwood, the daughter of the late John and Lena (Heikkinen) Mustonen. She grew up in Greenwood, with her father and mother, brother Edwin, and extended family members. In her early 20’s she moved to South Paris, where she worked as an operator for the local telephone company. Soon she met and then married Philip Bradford in 1954. They enjoyed 60 plus years of married life together. Over the next 12 years the family grew and lived in Boston, Auburn, and Andover. They moved to Cheshire in 1966. Through her time in Cheshire, she worked as an aide in the Cheshire elementary schools, operator for a local answering service, then lastly in the ’80s and ’90s as a Cheshire probate court clerk.

Lee was intelligent, loving, conversational, curious, often had a hearty chuckle laugh, and yes, on occasion feisty. Her deep-rooted Christian faith, quiet strength and thoughtful presence had a meaningful impact on many lives over the years. In her final weeks, she was surrounded by love from her entire family, carried by grace from her loving Heavenly Father and eager to be reunited with Phil, her husband.

Mrs. Bradford is survived by her sons and daughter, Rodney, Deborah Youd (Stephen), Dana (Mandy), and David; her grandchildren, Analise, Philip, Stephanie, Melissa, Christina, Holly, Robert, Anna, Beatrix, Eva, Flora, and her great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband Philip, brother Edwin Mustonen, daughter in laws Fransie Bradford (Rod) and Cathleen Bradford (David), and niece Melanie Mustonen.

Arrangements: A memorial service will be held on Feb. 19, 2026, at 12 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive Cheshire, Conn. The burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. There are no calling hours and the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.

For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit http://www.fordfh.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to WIHS radio (wihsradio.org) and the Finnish American Heritage Society of Maine (mainefinns.org).