Nancy Lee Mullett

Nancy Lee Mullett, 68, passed away at home on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Nancy was born on January 2, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan. Nancy was the third of eight children of Michael and Mary Kathleen (Cronk) Mullett. Although Nancy eventually settled in the country, she remained a city girl at heart, always saying she slept better with sirens and streetlights in the background. Nancy loved growing up in Detroit and having a large family and extended family. She and her siblings spent their summers at the family cottage in Lake Clear, Ontario, which became a lifelong sanctuary for Nancy. After graduating from Seaholm High School, Nancy attended Central Michigan University, completed graduate school at Wayne State University, and worked as a teacher. Nancy eventually pursued law school and became an attorney, but she remained a lifelong advocate for education, particularly as a vehicle for the empowerment of women. Nancy's legal career, which she loved, covered many areas, ranging from criminal law to education, municipal, and labor work. She made wonderful, lifelong friends during her career.

Nancy was a fountain of energy with an intense love of life. She cared deeply for her family and friends, and she made almost daily calls "just checking in" with as many of them as would answer. Nancy strongly believed in the power of community and the importance of getting involved in one's community. She was a person of action, never hesitating to help out family, friends, or the occasional stranger, and never waiting for an invitation to use her great ability to make things happen. Anyone that knew Nancy owes many happy memories and positive outcomes to her routine, immense efforts.

Nancy was a lifelong Catholic and found comfort and solace through her faith. Nancy placed immense value on integrity, fairness, honesty, and directness. She was also a lot of fun, exceedingly bright, a delightful conversationalist, and had a sharp sense of humor. Nancy was a blast to be around.

Nancy's obituary would be incomplete without mentioning her toughness and strength of will. She very much lived her life on her terms, and she chose to concentrate on the positive perspectives in just about everything. This included her brain cancer diagnosis, which had little impact on her unrelentingly upbeat spirit. The courage and tenacity she showed fighting her disease brought much strength to her loved ones. 

Nancy met her husband John in 1990. Although Nancy said no the first time John asked her out, the couple were eventually married for 31 happy years, filled with many fun adventures and much time and effort spent doting on their son, James. In addition to John and James, Nancy is survived by siblings Carey (Craig) Kirkby, Sharon Hicks, Craig (Kasia) Mullett, Michelle (Mike) DesMarais, John (Darcy) Mullett, and Rachel Ackerman. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Kathleen Mullett, and her brother, Jim Mullett.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the St. Philip Roman Catholic Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation (BCACS) 63 N. 24th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015, would be appreciated.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Nancy may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.