June 3, 1944 - April 15, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother, sister, friend, dancer, teacher and irreplaceable community member. Carole-Anne passed away on a beautiful Tuesday morning with her 'special someone' holding her hand at hospice in Kelowna B.C. after a brief illness.
Her life began in Harrow, England where her family had been established for generations but the wars pushed her mother to immigrate to Canada by boat when she was just a small child to be with her father. They called Red Deer Alberta home and life was not easy in the beginning, but her talent for highland dancing at age 7 landed her a front row position with the future Queen on her Royal Tour and by 14 she had moved to Calgary to pursue full time her passion for dance. She studied at Banff School of Fine Arts, Toronto National Ballet and returned to her homeland to attend the Royal London Ballet. Carole went on to dance at the famed Paris Moulin Rouge and toured South Africa, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Finland, Mexico and the USA all by the age of 22.
The next chapter of her life started after a visit home to Alberta where she met Arnie Mullin and within months she wrapped up her travels and moved to Vancouver to be with him. They married in 1968 and moved up to the Yukon to build a family together buying a plot on Redwood for $450 where Arnie built her a house, garden and dance studio. Their home was a refuge for many families during the 1970's with campfires in the back yard, always a place to stay for friends, good times were had by all.
Carole continued to dance and choreograph for the Frantic Follies, a Change of Lace Dancers, performing at Diamond Tooth Gertie's in Dawson City and during Rendezvous season which was a favourite of hers. She taught 100's of young aspiring dancers highland, jazz, tap and ballet and has put on countless productions throughout her 50+ years in the Yukon. A true pioneer of the north as she liked to refer to herself as.
After Arnie died in 1992 she pushed forward as a widowed mother of 3 and finally obtained her drivers license while pursing her education further, gaining employment with Yukon Government, Northwestel, Elections Canada and several Yukon First Nations elections. Once her children were grown and out of the house, Carole was host to numerous Japanese and Korean students 2002-2015 as well as a school tutor to many local youth, all this while still teaching dance into her late 70's!
She loved the midnight sun and puttering in her yard or on her back deck with a glass of wine but she loved her children and grandkids most of all which inspired her to move to Kelowna for the last 2 years of her life. Her message at the end was simple: Enjoy your body while you can!
Carole-Anne was a true 'English Rose', strong, vibrant, beautiful, complete with a few thorns and always giving her love. She will be missed by many and is survived by her brother James, children Doran, Meiyan, Philip (Rachel) and grandchildren Arnold and Jacob.
Please join us for a celebration Saturday June 7th, 4PM at Decora Gardens in Hillcrest #7 Roundel Road. EVERYONE Welcome!
Service Details
4:00 PM