Doris Jean Mullen

Doris Jean Mullen, 85, of Modesto, passed into the presence of God on July 21, 2014. She was born June 30, 1929 in Taft, California. She was the second of four children to Jesse and Eveleen Krohn. Doris’ family could have easily been the subject of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, as they traveled around the country during the Great Depression looking for work, eventually settling in Santa Cruz. Going without as a child certainly led her to be generous to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, years later. Prior to marrying K.C. Mullen, in 1960, Doris worked as a waitress at the Pep Creamery (where she met K.C.) and as a teller at the Bank of America; both establishments were once on South Main Street, in Salinas. After the birth of daughter, Kathy, Doris stayed home to raise her, and daughter, Cindy, who arrived two and one half years later. When both girls were in school, Doris took a job as a classroom aide at Henry F. Kammann Elementary School. She continued her career with the Salinas City School District, and retired while working at Loma Vista Elementary School 28 years later. During those years, Doris was always available to help as room mother, Camp Fire Girl leader, and supporter to her daughters’ many pursuits. In the 1980s and 1990s, Doris took a second job at JC Penney in the Northridge mall. Always wanting her children to have the best, she took on this extra job to help put Kathy through college. Doris was known for the delicious things she would bake – many a teacher’s lounge was brightened by her pies. She also had an enormous talent for decorating cakes. People would bring her pictures, and she would do a magnificent job of copying that picture onto a cake. Doris loved Christmas, and enjoyed decorating her house and yummy cookies in preparation for the family getting together. After her husband, K.C., passed away in 1996, Doris moved from Salinas to Modesto to be nearer to her children and grandchildren. Doris could write a book on being the perfect grandmother. She was there after the birth of each grandchild to help in any way possible. She realized the blessing that grandchildren are, and enjoyed every moment of her time with them. She derived great pleasure in sharing her time and energy being an intricate part of each of her children’s families’ lives. Doris loved: Big Band music, dancing, listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Martino, and Dick Hymes. She loved any John Wayne, Doris Day, or Tom Selleck movie. Favorite TV shows were mysteries, like “Murder She Wrote,” “Columbo,” “Diagnosis Murder,” and “Perry Mason.” She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles- especially when a grandchild was next to her helping. In August of 2005, Doris suffered a stroke due to the pressure of a large and unknown arachnoid cyst. After a month in the hospital in Southern California, where the stroke occurred, she was moved back to Modesto where her care was overseen by her daughter, Cindy. The stroke had cost Doris the ability to speak, eat, and care for herself. The family tried hard to encourage her and include her in family events and excursions. She brightened up each day the family came to see her, and never showed signs of depression. The caretakers in her nursing home often remarked about her kind spirit and demeanor. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, K.C., her parents, her brother, Robert, her sister, Barbara, her sons Larry and William, and great-grandson, Brian Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Nixon, of Nevada, Kathy (Eric) Mack, of Santa Clarita, CA, Cindy (Bob) Bauman, of Modesto, CA, grandchildren, Brian Gonzales, Christina Gonzales, Valerie Ingram, Wendy Mack, Amy Mack, Steven Bauman, Emily Mack, Julie Bauman, and Kelly Mack, eight great-grandchildren, and sister, Lois (Ed) Edwards, of Cool, CA. Private interment services were held at Turlock Memorial Park. www.turlockmemorialpark.com

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Doris Jean Mullen

June 30, 1929 - July 21, 2014