Dedicated carer Hope gears up for her centenary

Published on Thursday 4 June 2009 09:35

A woman who dedicated her adult life to the care of disabled children is preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Hope Mullens, 99, who now lives in sheltered housing accommodation on Colinton Road, is set to receive her letter from the Queen on 25 June.

She was born Hope Reid in 1909, the daughter of city cabinet maker Murray Reid and his Paisley-born wife Norah.

Raised in Coates Crescent, she attended a kindergarten school in Murrayfield, before going on to St Elizabeth's private school in Randolph Crescent, then on to St George's School for Girls.

She went on to study commercial arts at Edinburgh Arts School, learning to make furniture with a view to joining her father's firm, the George Street-based Whytock & Reid.

Her multilingual father learnt his own trade under expert furniture makers in France and Germany, and when Hope turned 20 her father sent her to Paris to brush up on her French.

The outbreak of war in 1939 signalled a change of career for the 30-year-old Miss Reid.

When she was asked how she would like to serve her country she indicated she would like to look after children, and went on to gain a Montessori Degree in teaching. It was to herald the start of a career looking after children that would last for the next 60 years.

During her early teaching days in the war she met Edinburgh Academy teacher Edward Mullens. The couple fell in love and agreed to wait until war was over before getting married.

Following their union they bought a house in Hartley Witney, in Hampshire, but their happiness was to be short lived.

A few months into their marriage, Edward died of cancer, leaving Mrs Mullens alone in the house they bought together.

She said: "It has always been one of the greatest regrets in my life that Edward and I couldn't have a life together and raise a family."

She stayed on in Hampshire for a further eight years, teaching in a school for the mentally disabled, before moving back to Scotland and opening her own school for he disabled at her home on Colinton Road.

She ran the school until she retired in her 60s, but continued to do volunteer work with the disabled well into her 90s.

Her dedication gained her a Lothian Regional Council Award for voluntary service to mentally handicapped children, and a Scottish Society for the Mentally Handicapped life membership in recognition of her devoted and valued services to the society.

Throughout her life, Hope has been a woman of varied interests, with a keen appetite for learning new languages, practising the piano, violin and viola and entering writing competitions.

Carer Marie Dey said: "She doesn't get to do these things quite so much these days but she still enjoys getting out in the fresh air.

"Hope reckons the secret to long life is getting plenty of exercise, which she still does every day, and I believe this is coupled with a positive attitude to life.

"Hope laughs at any signs of ageing.

"She thinks getting old is a funny business, and takes it all in her stride."