Rebecca B. Mullen

Rebecca B. Mullen (Brandriff), 100, of Newfield passed away early Monday morning, Dec. 10, 2012, in the South Jersey Healthcare Elmer Hospital after a brief period of declining health.

Mrs. Mullen was born in Vineland and raised in Newfield, where she remained a longtime resident. She also resided for many years in Wildwood. She was the oldest and last surviving daughter of the late Grace (Lowder) and Edward B. Brandriff. Mrs. Mullen was also predeceased by her husband, Hopwood Mullen, who died in 1987; as well as her sisters, Ruth Surdam, Mary Anna Eakin, Grace Ennis and Martha Brandriff.

Mrs. Mullen was a graduate of Vineland High School Class of 1928 and went on to receive her teaching degree from the Glassboro Normal School. Before her marriage and in her later years, she taught and was a librarian in the Franklin Township schools. She was a longtime member of the Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Pole Tavern. She was also a member of the Cape May County Historical Society, was a former member of the Newfield Historical Society and was a board member of the Rose Hill Cemetery Association. Rebecca was an avid reader, interested in trees and nature, a student of South Jersey history, and had studied her own family's genealogy all her life. When her family was young, she lived in Wildwood and swam daily. She continued to spend summers in Wildwood until this year.

Mrs. Mullen is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca and husband George Geesey of South Thomaston, Maine, and Grace Mullen of Glenside, Pa.; and grandchildren, Ellen Dean and her husband Bruce of Frederick, Md., and Gordon Geesey of Monrovia, Md. She had four great-grandchildren, MaryKathryn, Abigail, Henry and John Dean. Her large extended family included many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Her local nieces and nephews were particularly faithful about visiting her in her later years. An annual family reunion was the highlight of many summers, with some 50 or more attendees.

Relatives and friends will be received on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 545 Daretown Road (Pole Tavern Circle), Elmer, NJ 08318, where her funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Newfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

To email condolences or tributes, please visit www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.