Gundula Sundgren

Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Gundula Sundgren, died peacefully on February 9, 2026 in Belmont, Massachusetts. She was 89.

Gundula was one of the best mothers one could have; she was kind, understanding, wise and fun. She raised two children, Jan and Lenja, in a happy and loving home. Gundula was married for 50 years to her beloved John, who died in 2020. As a grandmother to Erik, Max and Conrad, she was warm, caring and always ready to read them a story. She was very close to her sisters Elisabeth, Monica, and Vivian.

Gundula was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, where she earned a degree in languages from a local college. In the 1960's, Gundula moved with her husband and children to Chile and then back to Finland, before settling in the US. She lived in Falls Church, Virginia, for 50 years and then outside of Boston, Massachusetts, for almost three years. She was an independent business owner, sourcing documents for Nordic countries, when she retired in her 60's. She had a passion for reading, writing and hiking. She was an active member of the Lifelong Learning Institute in Virginia where she shared her love of literature and poetry with fellow members. John and Gundula hiked many trails in different national parks across the globe.

A remembrance lunch will be held in Finland this summer, where many of her family and friends still reside. Her ashes will be scattered in Virginia and Finland, to be near those of her husband John.

Please raise a glass in fond memory of our very special and dear mother and grandmother.