蜜桃视频

蜜桃视频 & community mourns the passing of
Marian G. Mullet, founding chief executive & advocate

Memorial Services to be held on April 7 at 蜜桃视频

EDMESTON, NY, March 20, 2019 鈥�  Every day at 蜜桃视频, we work to support people with disabilities so 鈥溾�� that each life may find meaning.鈥�  This week, which coincides with the observance of World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the achievements and legacy of Marian G. Mullet, whose pioneering work 鈥渃reated meaning鈥� for thousands.

蜜桃视频, its families, and the developmental disabilities community mourn the death of Village visionary and Founding President & Chief Executive Officer Marian G. Mullet early Sunday, March 17.  Mrs. Mullet worked tirelessly since the early 1960s to advance community inclusion and create opportunities for people with Down syndrome.  Mrs. Mullet would have turned 92 on her birthday later this week.

A registered nurse by training, a fund-raiser and builder by happenstance, Mrs. Mullet is recognized as the driving force behind the early growth of 蜜桃视频, Edmeston, an internationally renowned residential campus and services provider for people with developmental disabilities.  Mrs. Mullet and the Board of Directors in the late 1970s envisioned a community that would not only provide services and supports for people with Down syndrome, but also would create opportunities for personal growth, skills development, personal relationships and community inclusion.  Today, 蜜桃视频 is considered a global leader in human services and supports over 200 individuals through person-centered community-based programs; it has a staff of over 200, and an annual budget of $11 million.

鈥淲hen I first met Marian in 1982, I was unaware, though she may well have already decided, that I would be working on behalf of her beloved 蜜桃视频 to this current day,鈥� said William F. Streck of Cooperstown, the Chairman of the 蜜桃视频 Board of Directors, and President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. 鈥淏ut such was the gravitational force of her commitment and her energy that I have never left the orbit of Pathfinder. It was an extraordinary privilege to work with Marian. Pathfinder allowed me to share all the wonderful individuals that have been and continue to be the keepers of the Pathfinder dream. Her vision fulfilled is her gift to all of us.鈥�

鈥淚 first met Marian Mullet in 1986; she convinced me that I should accept a position with The Arc Otsego,鈥� said Patricia Knuth of Oneonta, who is now that agency鈥檚 Executive Director.  鈥淪he and I worked on many projects to increase supports and services for people with developmental disabilities, establishing a long-term relationship. Marian was a role model for me, exemplifying leadership 鈥�. There were many times I looked to her for guidance and inspiration.  She has touched many, many lives.鈥�

鈥淢arian鈥檚 dedication to 蜜桃视频, to people who have Down syndrome, their families and the community at-large was extraordinary,鈥� continued Ms. Knuth.  鈥淪he was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Village to become what it is today.鈥�

鈥淚n my lifetime there have been a handful of individuals who have inspired, motivated and humbled me,鈥� said Paul C. Landers, Pathfinder鈥檚 current President & Chief Executive Officer.  鈥淢arian is one who happened to do all three.  How perfect her vision, how strong her will and what dedication she demonstrated. It has been a challenge to follow in her footsteps at times, but also a tremendous honor to continue her vision and mission of 蜜桃视频.鈥�

Mrs. Mullet鈥檚 involvement with the Down syndrome community began in 1963, when her family moved to rural Edmeston from western New York; her husband, educator Frank Mullet, had accepted the job of District Superintendent at the local public school.  Raising a young family as well as champion Irish Setters, Mrs. Mullet still found time to volunteer as the nursing supervisor at the Otsego School, Pathfinder鈥檚 predecessor, located in the hamlet. At that time, the school served about 40 individuals, with a majority being toddlers and children.  Mrs. Mullet and other early staff leaders of the school, Norma Anderson and Janett Wiswell RN, would comfort young babies, nurture developing children, and guide teens as they attended classes and lived at the home-based school.

By 1976, Mullet was a senior administrator on-staff; however, in the wake of sweeping changes in the care of persons with developmental disabilities put into motion after the Willowbrook Consent Decree, the Otsego School faced closure by state officials.  Understanding that their old school buildings would not pass stricter life-safety codes, the school鈥檚 parents formed a new Board of Directors, raised funds, and tapped Marian Mullet as the new school鈥檚 director.

In a 1988 op-ed piece in the New York Times, Mrs. Mullet鈥檚 brother, reporter and author Stephen B. Goddard recalled:

鈥�(Marian), the school nurse happened to be the only college graduate on staff at the time, and while she watched with interest as the Board of Directors screened applicants to head the school, all eyes began to turn toward her. Working through her surprise, fear and self-doubt, Marian realized that scores of friends would soon be homeless without her intervention. Reluctantly she agreed, in her late 40's, with three teen-agers still at home and with no previous business experience, to take on a multimillion-dollar development project.鈥� 

鈥淪he set about to conceive a plan to create 蜜桃视频, a $4 million new community, complete with 鈥� housing, a village school, church and industry, in which 80 individuals of all ages could live, work and play - the only residential center in America (specializing in) those with Down syndrome.鈥�

鈥淚 think the Board took a terrible chance with me,鈥� Mrs. Mullet admitted in remembering the transition in a 1999 interview with Bates College Magazine. 鈥淲e formed a whole new organization out of a cornfield.鈥�  Following four years of intense planning, fund raising, and construction, 蜜桃视频, then consisting of seven homes and a school, opened on July 29, 1980.

In that same interview, Mrs. Mullet spoke on the progress she鈥檇 witnessed during her career, going from the routine institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities to the inclusion of individuals in the community and creating enriching residential and habilitation settings.

鈥淒own syndrome isn鈥檛 the end of the world 鈥� it鈥檚 the beginning of precious life,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith the right programs and lots of love, a child born with Down syndrome can experience joy and the satisfaction of school and work 鈥� just like the rest of us.鈥�

As a chief executive and never-tiring advocate, Mrs. Mullet was keenly aware of the economic challenges faced by non-profits in balancing budgets and offering services to people with disabilities.  She said, 鈥淵ou have to run a business, but you have no business running a business unless you know where your heart is鈥�. but you can鈥檛 do it just by loving someone.鈥� 

As 蜜桃视频 was being built at the site of a 23-acre cornfield near Edmeston, the Mullet family faced their own personal tragedy, their youngest son鈥檚 diagnosis and battle with cancer.  Thomas Frank Mullet, a student at Colgate University, died in 1980.  Later, Mrs. Mullet reflected that she found great comfort in the birch trees that were planted in Pathfinder鈥檚 front yard in Tom鈥檚 memory, as they provided her with a sense of closure.

Following the opening of the Village, Mrs. Mullet鈥檚 drive and vision continued: She, Board members and parents raised funds to develop a thriving integrated community with 10 colonial style homes, a bakery and caf茅, a non-denominational chapel, recreation spaces, a central kitchen and dining facility, and other projects, amounting to over a $10 million investment.

The crowning achievement of her career at 蜜桃视频 occurred on October 6, 1996, with the opening of the Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome, established as the organization鈥檚 outreach, hands-on education, life planning and research arm. Since 1996, the Center has handled queries from a global audience, and has held over 50 workshops, seminars and conferences on topics related to Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.  Mrs. Mullet officially stepped down as the Village鈥檚 President & Chief Executive Officer following a formal recognition dinner for her achievements, held at The Otesaga, Cooperstown, in 2001.

Following her retirement, Mrs. Mullet worked for several years with her daughter, Martha Winsor, and her granddaughter, Deborah Winsor Batt, to write and richly illustrate a comprehensive biography on her maternal uncle, Richard Andrew of Boston, a renowned painter who was celebrated for his deeply sensitive portraits and moving landscapes.  Andrew鈥檚 most recognized mural honors the 104^th Massachusetts Infantry and is in the Hall of Valor in the Massachusetts State House in Boston.  The book 鈥淩ichard Andrew - Called to Paint,鈥� published in 2010, has received acclaim from American art scholars and historians.

Along with being an author, nurse, advocate and businesswoman, Mrs. Mullet was awarded honorary doctorates of Law from Bates College (1988) and of Humane Letters from the State University of New York at Oneonta (2002).  She was named as a 鈥淲oman of Distinction鈥� by the New York State Senate in 2000 upon the 20th anniversary of 蜜桃视频, and served on the boards of The Scriven Foundation and The College Foundation of Oneonta.

The second of five children, Marian Goddard Mullet was born on March 23, 1927 to Dr. Harvey B. and Marguerite Andrew Goddard in Hartford, Connecticut.  A 1945 graduate of East Hartford High School, she went on to graduate with the last nursing school class of Bates College of Lewiston, Maine in 1950.  She began her nursing career at the New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, and married Frank Mullet of Worcester in 1950; they met during their time at Bates College; her father and siblings also graduated from Bates.

Along with many friends, professional colleagues and admirers, Mrs. Mullet is survived by her husband of 68 years; a daughter and son-in-law, Martha Mullet Winsor and Martin Winsor of Edmeston; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. James G. and Pamela B. Mullet of Roanoke, Va., and Dr. John and Debra J. Mullet of College Station, Texas; seven grandchildren, Deborah W. Batt (Daniel), Elizabeth W. MacKenzie (Sean), Sarah W. Hartman (Christian); Hillary Mullet, Benjamin Mullet (Julia), Adam Mullet, Ian Mullet (Shea Walterscheid), and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her younger siblings, Elizabeth G. Calabrese of Homestead, Fla., and Stephen B. Goddard of New Haven, Conn., and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Mullet was predeceased by her brothers Harvey, Ralph, and Arthur Goddard, and son, Thomas Frank Mullet.

A celebration of Mrs. Mullet鈥檚 life will be held for family, friends, and the public at the 蜜桃视频 Gymnasium, formally known as the Marian G. Mullet Sports & Recreation Center, on Sunday, April 7, 2019, beginning with calling hours at 11 a.m. followed by a service at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Mullet鈥檚 family requests that donations be made to The Thomas Frank Mullet Scholarship at 蜜桃视频, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston, NY 13335, or to The Thomas Frank Mullet Foundation, 36 South Street, Edmeston, NY, 13335, which provides annual awards that benefit people and organizations in the Edmeston area.

About 蜜桃视频: 蜜桃视频 is an internationally respected open-access community in upstate New York, and was founded in 1980 to provide people living with Down syndrome and related disabilities an independent, engaging, and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for older individuals living with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational and pre-vocational programs, including its post-secondary program, Otsego Academy, and its community-based day services option for regional residents.  To learn more about 蜜桃视频, please call (607) 965-8377, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit the website at , or visit our fan page on the popular social networking sites, Facebook and Instagram.