Iva Marie Mcmullen

Iva Marie McMullen, surrounded by her sisters, children, and adoring husband, passed from this world on the evening of Friday, April 28, 2017. She slipped peacefully to her eternal home with her daughters by her side, sweetly singing their mother home to "Amazing Grace".

Iva was born Iva Marie Holt on November 16, 1955, in Sykesville, Maryland. She graduated from Cornwall Central High School in Cornwall, New York, in 1973. She then attended the University of Montana and completed her degrees in Special Education and Elementary Education at Penn State University.

She loved to travel and explore. Her young adult years were spent backpacking, hitchhiking, snow skiing, and exploring America's great outdoors. Throughout her life she maintained a love of nature, and especially feeding and watching birds.

She married David McMullen on September 12, 1981, and soon made their home on Venango Street in Rocky Grove, where they have lived for 32 Years. They were parents of three children: Ryan, Mariah and Geralyn. Iva cherished her role as a mother, taught her children to follow their passions in life and to love learning.

Iva worked professionally in education for over 30 years, but was an "educator" her entire life. She was the oldest of her siblings, and taught her little brothers and sisters much. Her teaching career included positions at Titusville Public Schools, Pleasantville Public Schools, and the Christian Life Academy. Later she became a dedicated supporter of the home schooling community, serving as the Franklin area evaluator for the last four years.

She was a voracious reader, quickly consuming stacks of books ranging from sci-fi to history to current events. She read to her children incessantly, and successfully instilled in them her curiosity and love of reading.

Iva was a passionate supporter of local arts and culture. She was the biggest fan of her two daughters, both of whom have made their careers in artistic and creative fields. She always looked forward to Franklin's Apple Fest and loved to support local artists and artisans by purchasing dozens of works that she would give as gifts throughout the year.

Throughout her life, her Christian faith was very important to her and made evident in everything she did. She was the first to do anything for anyone, the foundation of her family and pillar of her community.

Iva's passing at the age of 61 came as shock to those who loved her. After a diagnosis of advanced stage cancer, Iva had less than a month to say goodbye. A celebration of Iva's life will be held on Tuesday, May 2, at Christ United Methodist Church, 1135 Buffalo St. in Franklin. Friends and family are invited to gather for fellowship and the sharing of memories at 9:30 a.m. Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by lunch.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 W. Park St. Franklin.

Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com.

Iva is survived by her husband of 35 years, David McMullen of Franklin; daughter Mariah Justine McDaniel and husband Dan of Titusville; daughter Geralyn Iva McMullen of Pittsburg; stepson Ryan McMullen and wife Jenna of Oklahoma City; sister Juanita Gail (Holt) Morehouse and husband Glen of Long Lake, New York; brother Michael Phillip Holt and wife Deborah of Bergholz, Ohio; sister Jennifer Elaine (Holt) Dumas and husband Elias of Woodland, California; father-in-law Donald McMullen of Franklin; brother-in-law Ron McMullen and wife Lonna of Meadville; sister-in-law Donna Kordich and Dave of Locust Grove, Virginia; uncle James Wade of Bergholz, Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Iva's family will remember her as generous, practical, assertive, spirited, and an amazing baker of pies. The next time you see a yellow finch, her family asks that you smile and think of Iva, and know that she is now looking upon her favorite birds from up above.