Carolyn Cain Mullins

Carolyn Cain Mullins, age 86, died peacefully in her sleep Friday, January 26, 2018 at Hospice House in Locanto, Florida. Born May 29, 1931 in Cape Girardeau, MO, to Lester S. and Wilma (nee Lynch) Cain, she came to Sugarmill Woods in Citrus County Florida in 1993 after retiring from the Town of Madison, CT where she held the positions of Land Use Administrator/Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement Officer. She was one of the first 2 women certified by CAZEO, the state association of enforcement officers, after passing its examination. While living in Schaumburg, IL, where she and her family were among the earliest residents of a new development, she was employed as a reporter and later as Managing Editor of the Northwest Group of newspapers for Pioneer Press of Oak Park, IL. Later she became a free lance writer specializing in education with numerous articles published nationally and internationally in major professional education publications. Active in the Schaumburg community, Mrs. Mullins was the first recipient of the Township’s “Woman of the Year” award after being the first woman ever elected to the school board of Palatine-Schaumburg School District 211 where she served a 4-year term before moving to Plantation, FL in 1972. She and her husband, Gordon, were active for many years in breeding and showing purebred Dalmatians and were instrumental in founding and operating the Dalmatian Rescue of Southern New England. A resident of Sugarmill Woods, she continued a writing career and was a frequent contributor to “The Green Belt Gazette” published by The Citrus County Chronicle. She was an Ordained Elder and active member of First Presbyterian Church of Crystal River; and member of Florida Chapter H L of the P.E.O.Sisterhood; The Women of Sugarmill Woods, serving twice on its Board of Directors; the former Sugarmill Chorale, Sugarmill Woods Country Club; and a tutor in the Citrus County Library Systen’s Adult Literacy Program. She also continued memberships in The Dalmatian Club of America, The Dalmatian Club of Southern New England and the Chicagoland Dalmatian Club.

Mrs. Mullins was predeceased in 2005 by her beloved husband of 55 years, Gordon E. Mullins; her eldest son, Michael S. Mullins only weeks before her in 2018 and earlier by her parents and her sister, Frances Cain Eldredge. She is survived by two of her three sons, Brian Gordon (wife Michele) of Danbury, CT; Scott Spencer (wife Jami) of Austin, TX; by seven grandsons, Michael Joseph; Patrick; Phillip; Sean; Brendan; Corey; and Gage; one granddaughter, Kristine Kozub (husband Jeremiah); eight great-grandchildren, Natalie, Mackenzie, Jillian, Analiese, Riley, Matthew, William Gordon and Michael Oliver; numerous nieces/great nieces and nephews/great nephews and special dear friends Jan and Bill Pierson.

A celebration of Carolyn's life will take place on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 10:30 from Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida, with Pastor Rob Allen officiating. Inurnment will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida at 1:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Chapter HL, P.E.O; the Scholarship Fund of The Women of Sugarmill Woods; the Citrus County Library System; Dalmatian Foundation or a charity of your choice. Services under the direction of Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa. www.wilderfuneral.com