Dorothy Mullins
Dorothy Gronau Mullins, 89, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023,
with her loving family by her side. Dorothy was born in Germany on November 20, 1934, to the late Paul and Charlotte Gronau.
At 18 years old, Dorothy met her husband and the love of her life, the late Gerald E. “Moon” Mullins while he served as a Paratrooper in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. It was a match made in heaven, and after his discharge, Gerald arranged for Dorothy’s passage to America. They were married by the Justice of the Peace in Stamford, CT in 1955, and sons Gerry and Bryan came along in quick succession (Irish Twins) while they resided in the Cove. They left the Cove and moved into the family homestead in North Stamford, and when her son, Patrick, came along in 1964, the family was complete. Gerald and Dorothy grew a real estate portfolio of investment properties in and around the Stamford area, and when the major re-development of downtown Stamford began in the 1980s, they did very well for themselves. Their golden years found them traveling to Europe frequently and visiting family and friends in Germany, Ireland, England and France as well as many trips to Pensacola, FL to visit her mother, Charlotte, and time spent in Cape Cod with family and friends. With her competitive nature, Dorothy was a highly sought after bridge player and partner and enjoyed hosting weekly bridge games in her home with friends for many years. She enjoyed playing tennis and was very active in the Woman’s Club of Greenwich, where she held various leadership positions over the years. She was a talented artist and loved to gift her artwork to family and friends. Dorothy also enjoyed doting on her grandchildren and hosting her German family members and friends who came to visit her in CT. After 60 years of a beautiful marriage and a true partnership, Gerald predeceased Dorothy in 2015. Dorothy enjoyed puttering around her house, taking great pride in maintaining a beautifully appointed home, a beautifully landscaped property, and she enjoyed all manner of wildlife and birdlife who often came to visit her. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to Mina Phillip who provided loving, compassionate care for Dorothy and kept her safe and comfortable in her home for the last 18 months of her life.
Dorothy is survived by her three sons; Gerry Mullins Jr. (Patty Ann Kirk) of Stamford, Bryan Mullins (Maureen Polotaye) of Stamford, Patrick Mullins (Patricia Nemchek) of Sandy Hook, CT, her nine grandchildren; Jerry III, Erin, Casey, Samantha, Sean, Bryan Jr., Jamie, Patrick Jr., and Shannon Mullins, her 7 great grandchildren; Leah, Gerry IV, Charlotte, Ryan, Grace, Addison, and Connor, her brothers; Volkmar Gronau and Detlef Gronau of Germany and Hans Gronau of Collingswood, NJ, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, various relatives, and friends who also survive.
Family and friends may call at Cognetta’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 12, from 4:00PM-8:00PM. A funeral service will be held at Cognetta’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 13, at 10:30AM, with interment to follow at Fairfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org., or consider making a donation on Dorothy’s behalf to any local animal shelter or canine rescue operation of your choice. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.cognetta.com