NORRIDGEWOCK – Mary C. “Connie” MacMullen, 79, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. She was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Millinocket, daughter of Joseph Percy and Margaret (Mitchell) MacMullen. She was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon, graduating from Sacred Heart Academy, Jackman, Class of 1950. Sacred Heart Academy suffered a major fire in February 1949; Connie was the heroine of the fire, saving a nun and two children from the conflagration. After graduation Connie believed she had a vocation to become a Sister of St. Joseph. She entered the novitiate in South Berwick, but after four months discovered that she had substituted a love for the sisters to a true calling from God. In January 1951, Connie enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in Bangor. Her three years in the service instilled in her a great love of country and of the military. After her honorable discharge from the Air Force, Connie lived in Chicago, and designed window dressings for a number of major department stores; some of which were displayed on television. Moving to New Jersey, Connie became a matron at Monmouth County Jail. She proudly displayed her police badge for the rest of her life. In Philadelphia, Connie managed a cafeteria for a major pharmaceutical company, drove yellow cab through the city and later, became employed at Atlantic City’s Caesar’s Boardwalk Casino in the transportation department. She became steward of this department and annoyed at the slow pace of wage increase, she spent one Thanksgiving in the parking lot signing up her employees with the Teamsters Union. An accident with the hydraulic seat of the bus she was driving permanently damaged her spine and neck, and rendered her disabled. She moved to Norridgewock and there became involved with Norridgewock Concerned Citizens, who protested the expansion of the local dump, the dumping by out of state people and the noxious fumes that polluted the air. Her voice was heard loudly and vehemently at the town meetings, in the newspapers and on the picket line. She was a proud member of the American Legion for 24 years, was past commander of Galway Township Post No. 430, New Jersey and a member of Tardif-Belanger Post No. 39, Madison. She was a proud communicant of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Madison. Her Catholic faith was the mainstay of her life that she proudly announced to one and all. Connie was noted for her enthusiasm, love of jokes, and outrageous remarks to whomever. She was the life of any party. A series of illnesses diminished her physical capacity and in October 2007 she was placed in the care of her beloved veterans at the Machias Veterans’ Home. She was predeceased by an older brother, John A. MacMullen. She is survived by a brother, James MacMullen and his wife, Margaret, of Zephyrhills, Fla.; two sisters, Judith Crisanto of Southern Pines, N.C., and Roberta Hensen of Lakewood, N.J.; several nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Madison. Interment will be after at St. Sebastian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 24 Glenn Ave., Waterville, ME 04901. Arrangements are by Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., Madison.
MARY CONSTANCE MACMULLEN
