Geraldine Mullen

Geraldine “Gerry” Mullen PITTSFIELD and MARCO ISLAND, FL - Geraldine “Gerry” Mullen, 87, of Pittsfield and Marco Island, Florida, died peacefully among family and friends on Thursday evening, November 1, 2012, after a courageous battle with COPD. Born in Adams on November 11, 1925, the daughter of Lena and William “Bucky” Shaw, Gerry was graduated from Adams High School and attended Becker College in Worcester. While growing up she worked in her father's food service business, serving homemade sandwiches and root beer in an early version of take out lunches. She was crowned Snow Queen of Mt. Greylock in 1942, and soon thereafter met the love of her life at The Crest soda fountain in Adams. As if from a movie, Gerry was the Adams cheerleader, and Martin John “Jack” Mullen, the North Adams quarterback. Gerry and Jack were married at St. Thomas Church in Adams on February 16, 1946. They moved to Porter Street in North Adams, where they had five children between 1946 and 1960. Gerry enjoyed skiing at Dutch Hill, her bridge club, daily crossword puzzle mastery, summers at Hawk's Nest Beach in Connecticut, winters on Marco Island and travel, including Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii, many of the other 49 United States and a memorable cruise to Alaska. She loved Broadway musicals and big band music and was often heard, after dinner at The Springs, saying, “Let's go dancing!” Gerry and Jack attended JFK's inauguration in Washington, D.C., and the gowns she danced in at multiple inaugural balls were later worn by her daughters to their own proms. Gerry loved fine dining and good food in general, and was a skilled and intrepid cook herself, hosting countless fantastic holiday meals for the entire family. She was a member of The Country Club of Pittsfield and Hideaway Beach Club on Marco Island. Gerry was predeceased by her daughter, Sheila Ryan Uccellini, and her sister, Barbara Wise. She leaves her husband Jack, and her daughters Barbara Devine (John), Shannon Kirby (Thomas), Mary Mullen (Laurence Oberwager), and son Martin J. Mullen, Jr. (Denise). She loved her grandchildren, Michael and Tyler Uccellini, Jessica Steffensen, Joshua Barnes, Emily Barnes Hobart, Ethan and Katherine Oberwager, and great grandchildren: Gabriella, Tyler and Isabelle Uccellini, Charlotte and Audrey Steffensen, and Matilda Hobart. She also leaves her sister, Susan Weiner (Barry), and her dear friend Bernie Komuniecki. Gerry's family wishes to thank Hospice Care in the Berkshires whose guidance and generosity of spirit brought kindness, ease and peace to Gerry's final week.