Kathleen A. Mullen

Life Legacy
STERLING – Kathleen A. (Salsman) Mullen, 60, of Sterling, MA and Rome, Italy, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017 after a recent illness. Her family and many friends will never forget her kindness, her distinctive beauty and style, and her one-of-a-kind sense of humor and perspective on the world.  Kathy was born in Dover, Delaware, the daughter of Richard and Helen (Nolan) Salsman. Kathy grew up in Hamilton, MA and was a 1974 graduate of Hamilton-Wenham High School.  She attended Penn State University for journalism studies and John Cabot University in Rome for art history studies.  Kathy was formerly a resident of Beverly, MA, and is fondly remembered for her many years as the Site Manager at Lahey Clinic on the North Shore. In recent years, Kathy pursued her lifelong passion for travel and cultural adventure. From her home base in Trastevere, Rome, she cultivated friendships with people from all over the world, and she travelled to experience new vistas and cultures in six of the seven world continents.  Kathy’s principal interest in Italian language and culture compelled her to share her knowledge with the utmost enthusiasm. She was a highly distinguished art lecturer and guide in Rome.  Her impressive and unforgettable private tours of the Vatican and other historic sites were enjoyed by hundreds of travelers, and will be missed by hundreds more. Kathy was the proud mother of her two children, son Philip Mullen, Jr. of Cape Coral, Florida, and daughter, Alexandra Mullen of Malden, MA, and she leaves them both with her unending admiration and love. Kathy also leaves behind five grandsons, Bryan, Conor, Aiden, Liam and Ethan who provided her with heaps of warmth, joy and laughter. Kathy is also lovingly missed and remembered by her two sisters, Deborah McNamara of Worcester, MA and Janet Salsman of Natick, MA; her three brothers, Richard Salsman of Durham, NC, Stephen Salsman of Hooksett, NH; James Salsman of Sterling, MA; her nieces and nephews, Andrew and Ellie McNamara, Stephanie, Kaila and Tiana Salsman; and her former husband, Philip Mullen, Sr.  In addition to her parents, Kathy is predeceased by her sister, Cynthia Salsman and her nephew, Andrew Salsman.   The beautiful and delightfully engaging Kathy has left an indelible mark on many of our lives, and we mourn the profound loss of a spirit that is never to be duplicated. Per Kathy’s wishes, there will be no public memorial service. Memorial donations may be made, in Kathy’s name to Tower Hill Botanic Garden http://www.towerhillbg.org/donate Funeral arrangements are private and under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.  To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our “Guest Book” here on this page.