Valerie Jacobs Mullen
January 25, 1921 - December 21, 2014
Vershire, VT-
Born to privilege in fading Edwardian England shortly after WWI Val began her life long journey as a citizen of the world. A rather reluctant product of the English boarding school system of education, and Jewish to boot, she sensed early life's inequities despite her comfortable upbringing.

In 1942 after graduating from Oxford keenly aware that England was the next target she felt she had to join the fight for her country and for family that had not left Germany. Val volunteered for the army, after all, it couldn't be much worse than boarding school! After basic training when asked what she was good at she said, "I have a BA in history and I can't cook!" They placed her on the anti-aircraft radar to which she later told her family, "We won the war despite the ineptitude of myself and many others in the military." The beginnings of a lifelong commitment to pacifism had been established.

In 1947 she came to America to marry her husband, Francis Mullen, an Irish immigrant, war veteran and depression era union organizer. As often the case in war, the bonding between an university educated English Jew and a lapsed Protestant Irishman was forged by their commitment to challenging the status quo.

Both before and after Francis' untimely death Val remained committed to peaceful social change. Civil protest began in 1967 at the Pentagon, and included arrest and 10 days in jail for civil disobedience at the Lebanon, NH draft induction center. She only served seven days, receiving early release for good behavior which was never the case when in English boarding schools.

Retirement, including time spent in the 'Witness for Peace Program in Central America' living with people at risk for "disappearing" in Nicaragua and Guatemala by military regimes supported by the US Government.

Val would like to be remembered as a woman of passion for peaceful co-existence who witnessed first hand the destruction of extreme nationalism and militarism.

She is survived by her daughter, Tara Mullen of Vershire, son, Sean Mullen of Thetford, three grandchildren Nils, Seamus, and Evan and two great grandchildren.

A remembrance for Val will be held in the spring. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction assisted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a radical cause of your choice, the Upper Valley Haven 713 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction, VT, or The Outreach House 11 South Park Street, Hanover, NH 03755.