Phyllis Lorraine (Pruitt) Mullen

Phyllis Lorraine (Pruitt) Mullen passed away peacefully on January 4, 2022, at the age of 95.  She had recently been admitted to hospice care for congenital heart failure and advanced dementia.    She was born on September 24, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois to parents Leonard and Josephine (Sansone) Pruitt.  She was the oldest of their two daughters, the younger being Leatrice (Lee) Connell.

Phyllis was a strong-willed, independent woman who earned two master’s degrees, one in Accounting and another in Classical Music, from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.   She moved by herself from Chicago to Los Angeles in the early 1950’s where she would later meet the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Mullen.  They were married on June 26, 1964.

Phyllis and Bob enjoyed their life to the fullest – travelling together to many National Parks and many European destinations.   Phyllis’ favorite destinations were Banff National Park, Vienna, and Dubrovnik. They enjoyed watching football games and horseracing and were always up for a good game of cards with friends and family. Phyllis loved to cook, especially with her beloved sister, Lee. Phyllis and Bob loved entertaining and were famous for their New Year’s Day family celebrations.   Evening martinis were a staple in the Mullen household! Her wonderful sense of humor and resounding laugh will long be remembered by all.

Phyllis had a long and successful career as an accountant and corporate executive.  She held a variety of positions, including President of a cemetery in Seattle and most notably, she was a key figure in the early development of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center where she was Chief Financial Officer and essentially “ran the show” in the mid 1980’s.   She was well known as a brilliant and formidable businesswoman, ahead of her time in the world of business and finance.

Phyllis and Bob moved back to the Chicago area around 1989, after his retirement from the Post Office.  Phyllis continued working as an accountant until after his death in 1998. She spent her free time volunteering at the hospital and driving people to appointments and activities.  She continued to enjoy pinochle at the local senior center.  She lived alone there until 2017, when dementia necessitated a move to Minnesota, to be near family.

She lived the last four years in the home of her stepdaughter Pam and husband, Will Haack, where she was often surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even a grand dog!    She who had always said, "I don't do dogs, cats, birds, fish or kids!" had the opportunity to love and be loved by these tiny humans in her last years, and it was a delight for all.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Bob Mullen, parents Leonard and Josephine (Nan) Pruitt, and her sister Lee and brother-in-law Jack Connell.  She is survived by her nephew Father Patrick Connell, niece Cathy Connell and spouse Carrie, stepdaughter Pam and step son-in-law, Will Haack, her grandchildren Brenton (Missy) Haack and Shannon (Joe) Timm, and her beloved great-grandchildren Bailey, Liam, Gillian, Russell, and Christine.

Special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at North Memorial Hospice and Meadow Ridge Memory Care who comforted and cared for Phyllis in her final days.

A family service will be held in April.