Obituary Mary Lenore McMullen
June 23, 1920- November 7, 2021
Mary, as her chaplain said, had a ‘significant’ life. She was born in 1920 and lived for 101 years. She saw the roaring twenties and knew the hardships of the depression era. She married Edward McMullen in 1937. They had three children, Franklin (Donald), Leora (Sue), and Bonnie. While Ed was serving in the civilian army corps during WWII, Mary was a Rosie the Riveter at the Richmond, California port. She worked as a ship welder and rode on a scooter to deliver messages.
When Ed returned after the war, they entered the real estate business. They built the outside frames for housing subdivisions in El Sobrante and sold the homes inexpensively to returning GIs to complete.
In later years, Mary developed her skills as a quilter extraordinaire. She and Ed became season ticket holders at the San Francisco Opera and Ballet concerts. They golfed at the Mira Vista and Richmond clubs. They traveled the world. A favorite picture shows them dancing in the surf in Mazatlan.
Mary valued her relationships with people. Her friends and family view her with admiration and respect. She lived independently in her home with special care givers and her son-in law, Richard Thomas, nearby to help. She now has gone to join her Ed. Surviving family members include her daughter Sue, grandchildren Julie-ann Pina, Jennifer Byram, Leslie Legg, Jeremy Legg, Maureen Payne and Matthew McMullen and eight great grandchildren.
There will be a private burial ceremony at the Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite conservation non-profit organization.
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