Mary M. Mullen

Mary M. (Nicolais) Mullen, age 67, passed away at Appleton Care Center on Sunday morning, December 28, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born April 23, 1941, in Chicago, IL daughter of the late Sam and Mary (Spagnola) Nicolais.
On June 24, 1961, Mary was united in marriage to Robert J. Mullen in Chicago. They lived in Illinois until moving to Wisconsin in 1971.
Mary was known as being a very artistic person who loved to sew, do craft work, tend to her flowers and was a wonderful cook.
She was a faithful member at St. Pius Catholic Parish.
In addition to her husband of 47 years, Robert, Mary is survived by her daughter: Lisa (Scott) Clausen, Appleton; her grandson: Michael Clausen, Appleton; two sisters: Patricia (James) Haferbecker, Appleton, Joanne Nicolais, Fremont; three brothers: Peter (Linda) Nicolais, Orland Park, IL, Joseph (Brenda) Nicolais, Appleton, Michael (Rose) Nicolais, Justice, IL; half-sister: Elaine (Robert) Schabes, Frankfort, IL; sister-in-law: Sandra Sisk, Paducah, KY; nieces and nephews: Diana (Brian) Crowley, Bourbonnais, IL, Christine (Bill) Kolgen, Appleton, Stephanie Nicolais, Appleton, Alyssa Nicolais, St. Anne, MO, Leanne Schabes, Mokena, IL, David (Lisa) Haferbecker, Appleton, Timothy Haferbecker, Long Lake, WI, Steven Haferbecker, Appleton, Aaron Nicolais, Appleton, Eric Nicolais, Appleton, Ron and Bob Schabes, both of Orland Park, IL, Rick Sisk and Steve (Tina) Sisk, both of Paducah, KY; great-nieces and nephews: Trisha and Samantha Haferbecker, Appleton; Sean, Hannah, Ethan, Mia, Liam Crowley, all of Bourbonnais, IL, Beth and Brianna Sisk, Paducah, KY, Alex and Trevor Nelson, Appleton, great-great nieces and nephews: Tatiana Perez-Herrera, Anthony Haferbecker, Appleton; uncles: Michael and Paul Spagnola, Chicago, IL; and other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her step-father: James Dobes; her aunts: Angeline Maggio, Rose Gerrie, Theresa Altimore, Carmela Nicolais, Sara Camerino, Gerry Nicolais, Sue, Gertrude, Violet Spagnola; uncles: Casper, Joseph, Sam Spagnola, Joseph Altimore, Ross Nicolais, Robert Gerrie, Joseph Maggio, and a very special nephew, Anthony Nicolais.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, 12 Noon, January 2, 2009, at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 West Marquette Street, Appleton. Fr. Quinn Mann will be the celebrant. A time of visitation and support will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Mary's name to benefit La Rabida Children's Hospital, East 65th Street at Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL, 60649-9980.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and caregivers at Appleton Care Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital for all their wonderful care and support.

Mary was the type of person who always cared and gave to others, never wanting for herself. She was kind, loving and gentle. How appropriate for Mary to join the Lord at her favorite time of the year. All that knew and loved her will miss her dearly and her memory will be in our hearts always.