Lauren E. McMullin

Lauren McMullin passed away according to her wishes, at home in her garden, with her beloved dog, close friends, and family, after repeated battles with cancer. She was born August 5, 1950, in Hammond, Indiana, to Lillian (Horst) and F. Wayne McMullin. She moved to Waterville, Maine, with her family in 1963 and graduated from Waterville High School in 1968. Lauren went on to attend college at the University of Maine at Orono, earning both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in special education.

Lauren was married to Michael Opuda from 1977-2000 and raised their two children, Meaghan and Matthew, in Wayne, Maine. Lauren was an avid gardener and animal lover with a special fondness for dogs. She could often be found in one of her many gardens on their property during the early mornings and all summer long. Lauren was an active member of Wayne Community Church for many years as a lay leader, Sunday school teacher, and organizer of multiple holiday pageants.

A passion for supporting special needs children, Lauren taught special needs students during the early years of public-school special education, including as an itinerant teacher out of the back of a camper truck. She spent her career in special education as a private, public school, and community college teacher, consultant within the Maine Department of Education, and school administrator. After retiring from education, she worked at LL Bean as a customer services representative, a place where she made some of her dearest friends in later years of her life. Always an active person, Lauren also worked briefly at Hannaford in Winthrop, as a shopper through Hannaford To-Go.

Lauren lived in Winthrop, Maine for nearly 20 years, making many friends in the downtown area who came to appreciate her gardening skills. It was there she met David Ross, a dedicated partner who helped her through two hip replacement surgeries and helped her keep her sanity during COVID.

Lauren is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Meaghan (Opuda) Swan and Matthew Swan and their children Adrian and Oliver; her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Eugenia (Liu) Opuda; brother Forest McMullin and his wife, Andrea; brother Scott McMullin and his wife, Barbara; brother, Don McMullin and his wife Mary; her nieces Caitlin, Molly, and Lilly; and nephews Zach and William.

Lauren wishes to thank her dear friend Leslie Mooers for the care and support she has provided, Gabe Santilli for helping tend her gardens, Dr. Neil Majitha, Dr. Neilayan Sen, and Ricky, her favorite RN from Alfond Cancer Center, as well as Dr. Robert Dohner for his compassionate care.

A celebration of life will be held on September 21, 2025, from 12-2 at Sully's in Winthrop, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Charley's Strays, PO Box 64, Limestone, ME 04750, or via PayPal at Charleysstrays@yahoo.com. Lauren got her dog, Michelangelo, from this rescue, and he was an important comfort to her.