Edith Donnan Mullen

EDITH DONNAN MULLEN, age 89, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 in Holland, Mich. Edith and the late Joseph Mullen VI raised six children in Little Rock, Ark., where they lived for 50 years. An astute advocate for her children's education and a Girl Scout leader for 19 years at Holy Souls School, she was a regular presence in her children's schools. She listened well to the subtext of children's words and play and had the loving skill of finding each child's strengths, talents, aspirations and achievements, which she never ceased to nurture and rejoice in. Attending college was a given for them, and Edith and Joe had four children in college for ten running years. She launched them with three PhDs, two masters degrees and jobs that matched. Edith was active at the Girl Scouts, Arkansas Art Center and the Junior League. Edith is survived by six children and their spouses, Talmage (Eric) Steele, Joseph (Patricia) Mullen, William Mullen, Janet Den Uyl, Elizabeth (Reilly) Cobb, Christopher (Alison) Mullen; 11 grandchildren, Margaret and Donnan (Stacey) Steele, Jennifer (Brian) McKie, Joseph VIII and Benjamin Mullen, Julia (Daniel) Goldman, Deborah Den Uyl, Sarah and Cecelia Cobb, Alex and Andrew Mullen; three great-grandchildren, Shelby and Trent McKie, Clara Steele. A graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. officiated by Msgr. John F. O'Donnell. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.