Isabelle Minnie Mullen

Isabelle Minnie Mullen
1930-2024
Isabelle Minnie Mullen, 94, of Middletown, Connecticut passed peacefully at home on Sunday, October 6, 2024, after a long illness. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1930 to Marion Jane and William Arthur Gorringe, Isabelle was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Donald Rance Mullen, and by her beloved grandson, Connor Mullen.
Devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Isabelle will be remembered for her kindness towards all, for her deep love for her family and friends, and for her lifetime of exceptional service to the communities where she lived and to the United Methodist Church.
A graduate of Westboro High School, Class of 1947, and the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1951, Isabelle cared for patients as a Registered Nurse for nearly 50 years, first at Deaconess Hospital in Boston, then Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, then Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. She proudly wore her Deaconess white cap and RN pin until the day she retired. Isabelle then volunteered in the pharmacy at Middlesex Hospital for 15 years. The nurses she worked with over the course of her career are among her most cherished friends, especially Elsie Thompson, Patty Henry, Pat Marquardt, and Inez Wick.
Isabelle is survived by her sons, Donald P. Mullen, VMD, of Guilford, Connecticut (Christine Donahue Mullen) and John W. Mullen, of Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts (Kate Mullen); her grandsons Wes (Olivia Orley), Ben (Carly Ellman), and Ted; her granddaughter, Emma Lindsay (Jim); and her eight great-grandchildren: Mary Isabelle (Ellie), Clay, Annie, Isabelle (Izzie), Mercury, Moses, Madeline Rose (Maddie), and Avery May (Ava).
Isabelle was an extremely gifted quilter and knitter. She created stunning quilts for her sons and grandchildren and for community groups to auction at fundraisers. Each year she knitted every day, all year long, creating dozens of colorful and warm sets of winters hats and mittens for children in Middletown who might otherwise go without.
With her husband, fondly nicknamed Coach, Isabelle was one of the founding members of the Bloomfield United Methodist Church, raising funds with several other founding families to build and open it. Isabelle served as Secretary for the church, and Coach served as Treasurer. They then served at the state level of the United Methodist Church for many years.
The UMC and Boy Scouts were the center of their family life. Isabelle served as Den Mother when her sons were Cub Scouts. She continued in Scout leadership roles, alongside Coach, with both sons attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Mullen family will always be grateful to the staff at Heritage Commons, to Isabelle's devoted aide, Marylin Williams, and to the nurses at Middlesex Hospital Hospice.
Calling hours and a service led by the Reverend Barbara Marks of Branford United Methodist Church will take place on Saturday, October 12, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a service at 3 p.m., at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the First United Methodist Church Flower Fund, 40 Tuttle Road, Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.