Avrin Doreen Jensen McMullin, age 93, passed away quietly on December 1, 2020. She was born to Cannon and Dura Jensen in Axtell, Utah, on August 24, 1927. Doreen was the middle child of seven siblings: Don, Amoir, LaRae, Bonnie, Zara, and Hal. She grew up in a very close-knit and loving family. She and her four sisters remained best of friends all through their lives. Whether it was playing their favorite card game, Five Crowns, or traveling to Wendover, Nevada, to play a few games of slots, they kept each other entertained and active.
When Doreen was a teenager, her family received a grand up-right piano. She loved music and learned to play the piano quickly by ear. Her music delighted many as she entertained them with her nostalgic tunes. In 1946 she graduated from Gunnison Valley High School and soon after left her small farming community to find work in Salt Lake City. Standard Oil hired and trained her to operate the IBM punch-card tabulation machines.
Doreen met her husband, Garff Kay McMullin, when they caught one another’s eye on the dance floor of the Coconut Grove Ballroom. Their first introduction led to more dating and they married on September 16, 1947.
The next few years brought three young children into their home: Gregory Kay McMullin (Beverly Ann Birge), Crea Jensen McMullin (Martha Eileen Bullock), and Leesa Doreen McMullin (Martin James Scott).
Job transfers in her husband’s work with US Steel led Doreen to Duluth, Minnesota, back to Salt Lake City, Cedar City, and then to Lander, Wyoming. While in Cedar City, Avrin met and made many friends. She bowled in a women’s league and volunteered for the Pink Ladies, a service association at the local hospital. In Lander she helped organize a pottery shop for women who were interested in the art of throwing, glazing, and kiln firing pottery pieces.
An accomplished artist, Doreen oil painted, threw pottery, and created many treasures of art. She also had an eye for interior design and her home always reflected a warm aesthetic value. Retirement years brought her and her husband to Salem, Utah, where Garff passed away in 1996. Doreen stayed in her Salem home for the next 24 years.
She leaves behind her three children, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Her husband, two brothers (Don Jensen and Hal Jensen), sister (Amoir Jensen Deuel), and son-in-law (Martin J. Scott) have preceded her in death.
A private family graveside service will be held Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.
1 Condolence for Avrin Doreen Jensen McMullin
Condolence(1)
DOROTHY MODA ARGYLE says
December 4, 2020 at 10:42 pmI met Avrin at McDonalds many years ago. I enjoyed having breakfast with he and playing Five Crowns with her and others. She soon became a treasured and beloved friend. I also had the privilege of hearing her play the piano and to see her beautiful decorated home. Till we meet again, Love You!