Honor Marian L. Mullet

Senate Resolution No. 968 BY: Senator SEWARD MOURNING the death of Marian Leona Goddard Mullet, a devoted wife and mother, distinguished citizen and dedicated member of her community WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body, representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to pay tribute to an eminent woman of indomitable faith and dedication whose public service and countless accomplishments will forever stand as a paradigm and inspiration for others; and WHEREAS, Marian Leona Goddard Mullet of Oneonta, New York, whose unremitting passion for family and community defined her life, died on

March 17, 2019, at the age of 91; and WHEREAS, As the founder and first CEO of Pathfinder Village in Edmeston, New York, Marian L. Mullet worked tirelessly to achieve her vision "that each life may find meaning"; and WHEREAS, Born on March 23, 1927, in East Hartford, Connecticut, Marian L. Mullet earned a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1950, from Bates College where she met her future husband, Frank; and WHEREAS, Upon Frank's return from World War II, the young couple married and moved to upstate New York, where they pursued their dream of raising a family in the bucolic setting of the small town of Edmeston; and WHEREAS, In addition to raising her family of four children, Marian L. Mullet nurtured other passions, including raising horses, breeding championship Irish Setters and working at the Otsego School, a home for individuals with Down syndrome; and WHEREAS, When the Otsego School faced changing requirements for care of the disabled, Marian L. Mullet led an ambitious multimillion-dollar development project which transformed the Otsego School into Pathfinder Village, an internationally recognized residential community for children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities; and WHEREAS, Marian L. Mullet truly believed all people, regardless of ability, should have a wonderful home and a fulfilling life of social, educational, religious and work opportunities; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Marian L. Mullet served on the boards of several organizations, including the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, the State University of New York at Oneonta Foundation and the Scriven Foundation; and WHEREAS, Marian L. Mullet and her husband established The Thomas Frank Mullet Foundation in memory of their son, Tom, who died from cancer at the age of 19; the foundation gives annual awards benefiting the people and organizations of Edmeston and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, After retirement, Marian L. Mullet, along with her daughter, Martha, and granddaughter, Deborah, researched, wrote and published, Richard Andrew: Called to Paint, a fully illustrated biography of the artist whose paintings include portraits of Marian's family, as well as New England mountain vistas and shores; and WHEREAS, Marian L. Mullet was the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including The Paul Harris Fellow (1985), an honorary doctor of laws from Bates College (1988), a New York State Woman of Distinction Award (2000), the Otsego County Chamber Distinguished Citizen of the Year (2002), a feature in the PBS series "Visionaries," and an honorary doctor of laws from the State University of New York at Oneonta (2002); and WHEREAS, Predeceased by her parents, Harvey and Marguerite; a son, Thomas; and siblings, Harvey, Ralph and Arthur, Marian L. Mullet is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, Frank; sister, Elizabeth; brother, Stephen; three children, John (Debra), Martha (Martin) and James (Pamela); seven grandchildren, Sarah, Deborah, Elizabeth, Ian, Hillary, Benjamin and Adam; and seven great-grandchildren, Brianna, Sophia, Kenneth, Levi, Caitlyn, Gavin and Lydia; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Marian L. Mullet leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Marian Leona Goddard Mullet, a devoted wife and mother, distinguished citizen and dedicated member of her community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Marian Leona Goddard Mullet.