Linda Joyce Mullins

Linda Joyce Mullins passed away on September 9, 2021 at her apartment at Eskaton Lodge Assisted Living in Gold River, CA

Born on January 30, 1941 in Bollinger County, Missouri, Linda was nine years old when her family moved from the small town of Jackson, Missouri, a place Linda always loved, to Stockton, California. Linda attended Stockton Unified Schools and in 1959 was a member of the first graduating class from the new Amos Alonzo Stagg High School.  After graduation, Linda found a job at T.A. Ross Collection Agency.  In her spare time Linda loved listening to music, particularly to Elvis Presley, and she enjoyed hanging out with friends, cruising Pacific Avenue, and going to dances.  In 1960 she met John Mullins, whom she married in1961.  She continued working until her daughter Janet was born in March of 1962 and later her son David in December of 1964.

Linda was a wonderful homemaker for her family and an excellent hostess.  She worked part time as well. She made sure her children had every opportunity to participate in various activities such as Scouts, music lessons and sports, and every Sunday Linda and the children attended Sunday School.   Linda was a highly motivated person who worked tirelessly toward her goals.

In 1976 the family moved to Carmichael in the Sacramento area.  Linda found work as a teachers’ payroll clerk for the San Juan School District where she met her life-long friend Emily Falk with whom she stayed in touch until Emily’s death.

When Janet’s family moved to Carmichael in 1989, Linda and John loved to babysit their entertaining grandchildren, Alec and Sammi.  Linda retired from the San Juan District in 1996.   In March of 1998 John passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Grieving and feeling very lonely after John’s death, Linda joined WPAK, a group of widows and widowers who held bereavement meetings as well as social events.  Eventually Linda met Don Flath, a widower who became her companion for the rest of her life.  They participated in WPAC events and especially enjoyed dancing.  They also traveled all over the United States (including Hawaii) parts of Canada and took a cruise to Europe

In 2006 Linda moved to her new home in Four Seasons located in El Dorado Hills.  She loved entertaining in her new place and participating in many lodge activities, including playing cards.

Besides her many social events, Linda had the opportunity and pleasure to know four younger grandchildren who were born starting in 1999: Hannah (daughter of Scott and Janet Saitman); Laurel, Shannon, and Christina (daughters of David and Johna Mullins).           

In 2013 Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.   She continued many of her activities and also assisted with her son David’s care who suffered from diabetes and who died in December of 2015. Linda’s Parkinson’s disease worsened, and in December of 2016 Linda moved to Eskaton Assisted Living in Cameron Park and later to Eskaton Lodge Assisted Living in Gold River.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Doc and Helen Long; her husband, John Mullins; her brother, Harold Long; her son, David Mullins; and her son-in-law Scott Saitman.  She is survived by her daughter, Janet Saitman, her grandchildren Alec, Samantha, and Hannah, and her great grandsons, Simon and Phillip; her daughter-in-law, Johna Mullins and grandchildren, Laurel, Shannon, and Christina; her sister, Mary Lou Oswell; her nieces Jennifer Johnston, and Elizabeth Wolfe; and her faithful companion, Don Flath.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Eskaton Lodge for taking such loving care of Linda and Kaiser Pemanente Hospice for their help. There will be a graveside ceremony at East Lawn Mortuary in Sacramento on September 24 at 10:30 a.m.