M.G. Daly Funeral Home Ltd. Maynooth, Ontario

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M.G. Daly Funeral Home Ltd.
Mullin, Linda Patricia (Borutski)

February 24, 1949 – October 11, 2024

As the youngest of six children of Michael Borutski and Martha Cybulski, Linda spent her formative years in Val d’Or, Quebec and Bancroft, Ontario.  With four rough-and-tumble older brothers (Ray, Bob, Allan and Mikey) and just one gentle sister (Alta) for guidance, you can imagine how quickly her hockey skills, pain tolerance, and ability to fend for herself developed.

This upbringing turned out to be fortuitous, as it prepared her to be the perfect match for both the love of her life and the bane of her existence, John R. Mullin.  Linda’s father said it would never last, but for over 56 years they remained inseparable as lovers, best friends, and sparring partners.

Linda began working at age 13, and never once stopped after that.

She and John raised two daughters, Laura and Julie. They both know who the favourite was.  Though Linda loved her daughters and her sons-in-law, Michael and Jeffrey (Ian) deeply, all four quickly became second fiddle with the arrival of her grandchildren, Kayla (Kay-Bear), Jamie (Chummy), Connor (Jo-Jo) and Hope (Hopi).

Though her immediate family was small, Linda’s heart was not, and over the years she developed special bonds with many nieces and nephews who felt like her children, sisters-in-law who felt like sisters, and a few “bonus” grandchildren.

Her fighting spirit was not matched by the body she was given.  Linda’s health challenges were many.  There is no need to describe them in detail, as they were best summarized by the doctor who spent long silent minutes reviewing her extensive medical file, only to finally look up and profess, “Well…you’re a hard woman to kill.”. 

But please don’t remember her for this.  Though some might focus on the pain and challenges of her life, Linda herself never once did.  She would rather you remember her for the spaces in between, where she filled every moment with small acts of industry and kindness that some might find mundane, but which were simple demonstrations of joy in being alive. 

Linda died at home surrounded by the love and laughter of her family, and under a sky of northern lights as fiery as she was.  We will be forever grateful for the support of the many people in the community who helped us make that happen.  A special thank you goes out to Isabella, who ensured she was pain-free at the end. 

Linda’s wish was to be cremated.  A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday October 26, 2024 at the Mayo Community Centre, 66 Mayo Lake Road, McArthurs Mills, Ontario. The family will begin welcoming visitors at 11:00 am.  A brief service is scheduled for noon, followed by a luncheon.

Stories and reminiscences of Linda are most welcome.

We know there is a distance to travel and some of you who wish to attend may not be able to make it.  Here are some other ways you can honour her memory:

Make some jam.

Take a long trip on only the backroads.  Avoid the 401 at all costs.

Hide cash in the nooks and crannies of your wallets, coats and purses and rejoice when you find it again months after you forgot you put it there.

Feed the birds.

Do NOT feed the squirrels. They steal seed and eggs from birds and deserve to be shot.

Spend half a tank of gas on a 135-mile round trip just to buy a $10 flat of farm fresh eggs.

Play Rummoli, or any other card game.  Always for cash, not “fun”.  If there is no money on the line, it is not fun.

Keep every key for every door you’ve ever opened in your lifetime on your normal everyday keychain and carry it everywhere you go.

Stop reading so much and get outside.

Re-use grocery containers and label them with masking tape. Then use them for something else but don’t change the label.

Split some kindling and have a bonfire.

As soon as there is a hint of frost in the air, get your scraper out.  Shovel the decks the instant it starts snowing.  Then do it again as many times as necessary but KEEP THAT DECK CLEAR. 

Though we were lucky enough to be able to care for Linda at home, the Heart of Hastings Hospice was at the ready in the event we could not. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hospice https://www.heartofhastingshospice.ca would be much appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to M.G. Daly Funeral Home, Maynooth. (613) 338-3259 (Condolence messages may be e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or visit www.mgdalyfuneralhome.com)


 


M.G. Daly Funeral Home Ltd. Maynooth, Ontario. Serving Bancroft, Barry's Bay, Bird's Creek, Hastings Highlands, Maynooth, Whitney.