Mary "Peg" Berling Mullin

Peggy Mullin (Mary Francis Berling Mullin) was born in 12/13/14 and died at Agrace Hospice in Madison, WI one week short of 99 years old on Dec. 6, 2013.

She had the privilege of being raised, not just by her loving parents, Nell and John Edward Berling both from Sweden, but by two school-teachers down the road that were to become known as "the nannies." When Peggy was born on the first floor of their house, the "nannies" immediately bonded with her and watched over her with unbounded love for her entire life. They were very influential in the the development of the very special person Peggy became.

Nanny Mumma who was a first grade teacher taught Peggy to read so she was able to skip a grade and became an excellent student. After school she would always stop by for cookies and sharing. Later they took her on special trips and remained her advocate and support in many ways.

Excelling at the piano, Peggy got her first "job" when she was eight years old, being the accompanist at the local ballet studio. Later she played organ at a roller skating rink in western New York and sacred music in many churches always eager to improve with master lessons and study in Paris with the famous teacher Madame Boulanger. At age 90, before her fingers became contracted, she was still a church organist and choir director.

When George Mullin, a young General Electric engineer proposed to Peggy by mail, she wrote back, "I wouldn't have you on a Christmas tree." When they finally married, the first thing they bought was two pianos. From then on, the house rocked with music. The couple had three children and emphasized "fun" with camping trips, boating, swimming and music. When GE moved them from their self-designed Connecticut home to Louisville and Schenectady, they quickly adjusted. Then in retirement they loved living on the beach in Florida and on a mountain lake in North Carolina.


Peggy was a happy person with lots of enthusiasm. She loved swimming, and at one point impetuously hopped off a train in Switzerland to dive into a lovely beautiful lake. She regularly played golf, tennis and bridge and was excited to plan family camping trips as well as travel the world. She was quietly witty and full of wisdom, never judgmental always ready to see the positive. She told us not to fear getting old, that it is a luxury to let others make the practical decisions and be free to just enjoy life.

She is pre-deceased by three "Georges" her husband, her son and, later in life , her companion George Hines. She is survived by her daughter Carol Mullin, in Hayesville, her daughter Marilyn Mullin Carien and Marilyn's partner Jim Knutson, in Madison, and her grandson, David Carien, in Japan. Her love and happy energy will live on in all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at First Unitarian Society in Madison at 11:00 on January 25 and a graveside ceremony will be held May 24 in Hayesville.

Should you want to make a donation in her name, these would be two possibilities.

Agrace HospiceCare., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway Madison, WI 53711
First Unitarian Society - Music Fund- 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI