It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Carolyn Jean Mulder at the age of 78. She left us on January 14, 2026, two years to the day after the passing of her beloved husband, Gerry. Carolyn was born in Fredericton on October 12, 1947, and remained a proud New Brunswicker her entire life.
Carolyn was a strong, proud and caring person who was loved by her family and friends. Her caring nature showed at an early age as she watched over her siblings. Naturaly, when it came time to have her own family, she was able to create a warm and caring home for her children and husband.
Carolyn met Gerry at an early age and despite her apprehension and a unique first date, involving her bringing a pet squirrel in her pocket to test his resolve, they started their wonderful journey together. Carolyn’s love for Gerry grew as he continued to impress her by taking her to dances and stopping afterwards to pick up bottles in the ditches to help pay for the dates.
Carolyn had such strength and determination that she funneled her can-do attitude and entrepreneurial spirit into a series of successful business endeavours. She helped Gerry sell beef out of the back of a pickup truck until they were able to save enough money to start Mulder’s Meat in 1968. After supporting Gerry and raising their children, she launched a successful cheese stall at the Boyce Farmers Market. She then pursued her dream and opened the Mulhouse Gift Shop, where she used her exquisite taste to curate a store filled with the most beautiful wares and linens from across Europe.
Leading by example, she and Gerry instilled a strong work ethic in their kids from an early age. Each of their three children followed in their footsteps and embraced small business ownership.
Gerry and Carolyn built their dream house in Lower Saint Mary’s in 1983, where she pursued her passion for gardening. She cultivated vegetables, flower beds, and fruit trees on her treasured Wolastoq River property.
Carolyn also cultivated friendships. She surrounded herself with a diverse group of people and was an immersive storyteller. She always left the listener wanting more, like when she told the story of trying to keep her children believing in Santa Clause by dressing up as him and making a quick appearance in the window. Naturally her astonished kids ran to the door and gave chase. Only by large amounts of adrenalin pumping through her body was she able to escape their gaze and took refuge in the neighbour’s house flying through the door and collapsing on the floor. A first meeting the neighbours would not forget. To know Carolyn was to be entertained.
She loved kids, because she was a child at heart. She had an insatiable curiosity with a vivid imagination that she used to entertain her children and grand children with her collection of toys, puzzles, and musical instruments. She loved her pets and was a farm girl at heart. It was not uncommon to see Carolyn walking her three-pet sheep in the neighbourhood.
Carolyn rarely sat still. For decades, her days began with Gerry driving her across the river for her morning walk around town. She would finish with a coffee and the Daily Gleaner. She called it her routine and her medicine. Even in her later years, Carolyn remained vibrant and adventurous and was always on the move!
Her tireless enthusiasm extended to her love of music and theatre. She was a philanthropist and a patron of the arts in the truest sense. Beyond supporting The Playhouse and The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, she bought local art and would host great kitchen parties. Always wanting to lend a hand, you may even have seen Carolyn occasionally operating a puppet outside the market while the busker took a bathroom break.
Carolyn is survived by her sons John (Karen), Todd (Dana), and daughter Margo (Jon); her 6 grandchildren, Harrison, Olivia, Rebecca, Samantha, Madeline, and Amelia; along with her brothers John and Steven, sisters Cassandra, and Lavona, and brothers-in-law Jos, and Ted. Besides her parents Malcolm (Ted) Hastings and Olive Gullison, Carolyn is predeceased by her brother Keith; brother-in-law John, Tony, Nick, Bill and sister-in-law Anne Marie.
A visitation will be held on Thursday January 29th, 2026, from 4-7 PM at Bishop’s Funeral Home.
For those who wish and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Fredericton Hospice House.
Online condolences and the sharing of memories can be expressed through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com