Elizabeth Rose Mcmullen

Elizabeth Rose “Beth” McMullen peacefully died in her sleep at the age of 85 on May 2, 2013, at her home in Astoria, OR. Elizabeth Guttridge was born on September 25, 1927, to Joseph Isaiah Guttridge and Rose Elizabeth (Zurcher) Guttridge in Springwater, OR. Beth was raised the on the family farm, the youngest sister of two brothers and three sisters. She went to high school in Estacada then to Willamette University, where she graduated in 1949. While at Willamette she met Albert Roderick “Al” McMullen, who also attended Willamette. They married in 1949 in Salem, OR. Elizabeth taught high school in Gates, OR, while supporting Al as he attended law school at Willamette. When Al finished law school the couple moved to Lincoln County, where Al began his law career. Beth was a homemaker and devoted mother. Al and Beth raised their three children in the family home in Newport.

She loved raising her three children, serving in her home parish St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church in Newport, and participating in many civic organizations, including the PEO Sisterhood and Beta Sigma Phi.
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Beth had a passion for travel and had a goal of visiting all seven continents, which she achieved. Some of her most memorable trips were to Antarctica, Baja, California, on a whale research cruise, to Lourdes, France, to Iceland to see the many natural wonders and to see the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. She took a cruise on the Yellow River in China and walked on the Great Wall.

Beth’s husband of 52 years preceded her in death in 2002. She was preceded in death by brothers Joseph and Richard Guttridge and sisters Mary Miller and Ruth Aycock. She is survived by her sister Ann Vaughn of Kent, WA; her children Dr. Bruce (Cathy) McMullen of Wichita, KS, Scott McMullen of Astoria, OR, and Alyson (Dieu) Van Dinh of Austin, TX; grandchildren Susan McMullen and Brian McMullen, of Wichita, KS, Jacob Potter of Derby, KS, Ryan McMullen of Newberg, OR, Kyle McMullen of Astoria, OR, and Travis, Nicholas and Kathryn Van Dinh of Austin TX. Step-grandchildren are Julie (Jay) Cailteaux, Robert Canova, Lori (Chuck) Patterson, Beau (Vanessa) Canova, all living in Kansas. Beth was blessed with eight step-great-grandchildren, also in Kansas.

A graveside service and celebration of life were held on Sunday, May 5th, in Springwater, OR. Caldwell’s Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements.