Mildred Mae (Mann) Teal was born on February 13, 1928 to Nina (Hightower) and John Ellis Mann.  She passed away quietly at Brandon Woods of New Bedford after a long illness on March 20, 2024 at the age of 96. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but moved to the East coast more than 70 years ago. She loved the bustle and glamor of the city which she visited regularly from the farm she lived on.

She worked many years at Woods Hole Oceanographic as an executive assistant in her later years. Earlier she was the sole author of two books, The Flight of the Kite Merryweather, and Bird of Passage. She also collaborated with her husband, John Teal, to write four text books including: Pigeons and People, Life and Death of a Salt Marsh, Sargasso Sea and Portrait of an Island.

She was also a talented artist. In her 30s she worked with glass to make wall hangings of people and animals. She also made jewelry in her kiln. She moved onto fabric later in her life and made scores of quilted wall hanging that were featured in quilt shows. She shared her talent widely, entering shows and teaching classes. Her quilts grace the halls of multiple local medical offices.

Mildred surrounded by many of the quilted wall hangings she created.

Mildred is survived by her children Eric Teal of Sapelo, Georgia, and Tanya (Teal) Sanders of Rochester. She is survived by 4 grandchildren Matthew and David Sanders of Rochester, Carolyn Abrantes of Dartmouth, and Alexander Carroll-Teal of East Falmouth, and 3 great grandchildren Weylyn, Rhiannon and Freya Sanders of Rochester.