Elaine Mulherin
December 2, 1938 ~ October 11, 2025
Elaine Cecile Mulherin, age 86, of Upland, California, passed away on October 11, 2025, at Oakmont of San Antonio Heights.
Elaine was born on December 2, 1938, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to Jerome and Mary Colgan Mulherin. She was the youngest of three sisters, including Mary Mulherin and Rosalie Mulherin Fladoos.
Graduating with a Masters of Education degree from the University of Iowa, Elaine pursued her passion for teaching secondary education at the Palencia, California Unified School District, the University of Wyoming in Laramie, the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and finished her teaching career at Upland High School in Upland, California. She also served as a Director of Public Relations at Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa early in her career.
Having never married and with no children, Elaine considered all her students as her children, saying, “I gave them my best and wanted them to give me their best.” She loved them and remembered them in her daily prayers.
Retiring from teaching in 2006, Elaine enjoyed attending Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Upland, as her relationship with her Lord Jesus was paramount in her life. She also was known to enjoy taking long walks to stay in good physical condition.
Elaine is survived by her niece, Sharon Fladoos Smallwood (Thomas) of Elm Grove, Wisconsin; and nephew, Jerry Fladoos (Linda) of Washougal, Washington; as well as her cousin, Deacon Dennis Mulherin (Kimberly), of Cedar Rapids.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters.
Visitation will occur at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, on November 6 at 9:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, and burial service at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon, Iowa.
Additionally, a Memorial Mass will occur at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Upland, California, on November 17 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, Elaine requested that gifts be made to the Mount Vernon Community School District for the purchase of library books regarding literature study, or to the University of Iowa to assist needy students studying to become a teacher in English or Language Arts.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Elaine’s Tribute Wall.
Broadcast Date:
Services
Visitation:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
9:00 am - 10:00 am
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
212 7th Street SE
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-6246
Funeral Mass:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
10:00 am
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
212 7th Street SE
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-6246
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Thank you, my friend and teacher. May I strive to write and say and do things that would have made you proud.
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From “Dirge Without Music” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
“…They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.”
Elaine walked a lot. We first met Elaine as she was walking by our house. That first meeting turned into many years of joyful visits with her, not just on the street, but in our home for Christmas celebrations, her home, and eventually Oakmont.
We will always remember Elaine as an educator. She knew how to communicate wisdom without being overly pedantic. Rest in Peace Elaine, we love you.