Jean Marie Powers-Mullen

“200 percent Democrat”
Jean Marie Powers-Mullen, our loving and bold wife, mother, sister, granny, friend, warrior and matriarch, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes to the strains of “Les Miz” and her next grand adventure in the early morning of September 17, 2018.
She made it to age 91 with 31 days to spare. Did you doubt it?
Born in Los Angeles on August 6, 1927 to Charles Donald and Rose Marie Clements Powers, she weathered the Great Depression as a child and survived a turbulent and traumatic early home life to achieve her personal, professional and spiritual dreams. Jean was gorgeous, confident, whip-smart, loyal, fearlessly opinionated, kind to all living creatures, a devotee of Scarlet O’Hara, a lifelong, rib-rock, FDR-Truman-Kennedy-Johnson-Carter-Clinton-Obama Democrat and a prototype feminist. We miss her already.
Jean met her dream Irishman and prep football star, Ronald Louis Mullen, during their senior year in 1945 at Salt Lake City’s South High School. They married in Salt Lake City on October 5, 1949 and solemnized their union in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple in 1969. Jean picked Ron for his love, sweet personality, stability, devotion, kindness. She broke the domestic violence cycle of her father when she found Ron and they modeled the best family values for us. We are forever grateful.
Ron died far too young in 1984. Jean never considered a replacement. We’re sure Ron’s been patiently waiting in his recliner for the always-tardy Jean ever since, glancing at his watch and heaving a sigh until she shows up. Well, Pop, she made it. Squeeze her, sing to her and live it up! Bring Hal and Marian along, too. Great double-dating to you cute couples.
Jean graduated with Ron and from South High in 1945. College was not an option, but honestly? In her case, a university degree wasn’t really needed. Jean made her own way. Always.
She loved home sewing, gardening (we will never be able to identify every tree, plant and flower as she did), keeping a spotless home, reading The Salt Lake Tribune daily, being a Granny, working outside the home to support herself and her family, volunteering for the Utah Democratic Party, fostering rescue dogs and cats and yes, “neighboring.” She detested cooking, body odor and snakes.
Jean was a Professional Legal Secretary (It’s a title she earned. Google it. ) For countless SLC attorneys for five decades. Ultimately, she retired from Salt Lake City Corporation in 1992.
She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many roles. But her favorite position was as Primary teacher. She loved teaching the little ones, serving faithfully until age and failing health limited her participation. Still, for Jean, edicts from LDS leaders had to make sense. She loved the doctrine, embraced the optimism. But yes, Jean questioned some authority, especially about the role of women in the church. Case in point: She wore pants to church in the ‘80s–before it was a social media phenom.
Jean is preceded in death by her dear husband Ron, her youngest child, Heather Louise Mullen; granddaughter Stephanie Chadwick, brother William (Bill) Powers and adored sister Louise Powers Petersen. There are many nieces and nephews on both the Mullen and Powers sides. Also, so many beloved friends have gone before Jean: Marian Fellows Hardcastle, Irene Anderson Johnson, Phylis Smart; Barbara Bryson McRae. She values this womanpower in the universe, and we know Jean is already unleashing it in the clouds.
Jean is survived by her loving children, Grant Ronald Mullen (Laurie), Mission Viejo, CA.; and Holly Jean Mullen (Ted Wilson), Salt Lake City; her brother Richard (Dick) Powers (wife Annabelle), Renton, WA.; her priceless grandchildren Jarett Mullen; Caitlin (Kit) Warchol, Samuel Warchol; Ben Mullen; Sean Mullen; Jennifer Marshal; Kimberley Chadwick; and Emily Thorup Rudolph. Also, her, faithful and tiny Yorkie, Missy. We will love and protect Missy, Mama.
So much gratitude to the Signature Hospice Get-Er-Done Team: Holly Fox, Sarah Black, Debbie, Susie and Katie and the aides who bathed and comforted our Jean. We could not have sent her to heaven out in comfort and glory without your love.
Jean loved flowers. But in lieu of floral arrangements, please consider a much-needed donation to the Rape Recovery Center (https://www.raperecoverycenter.org/donations-and-giving/) or the Humane Society of Utah (https://www.utahhumane.org/donations-webform).
We will celebrate Jean at a memorial service on Friday, September 21, 11 a.m., at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 S. Redwood Road. Taylorsville. We invite family and friends to gather there from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the celebration.to
Grave dedication and burial will follow Jean’s service, at the adjoining Memorial Redwood Cemetery.
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou
Service Information
Viewing September 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM
6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah





Funeral Service
September 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM
6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah