Center Sandwich----- Mary Cullen, 76, of Maple Street, died Monday, November 30, 2015 with her loving family by her side.
Mary was born in Dublin, Ireland on September 14th 1939, to Kathleen Murray and Patrick Lennon. She was educated in the Irish educational system, and received a Diploma in Physiotherapy from National University of Ireland in 1960. In 1962, she married Dr. Tom Cullen and in 1965 they emigrated from Ireland to the United States, living initially in Boston. They moved to Gilford, NH in January 1971, where they finished raising their four sons. Mary worked at Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia for 14 years and then at Central New Hampshire VNA for 10 more years.
On retirement, Mary and Tom moved to Center Sandwich,NH. There, Mary joined the Over the Hill Hikers and became an avid hiker. Highlights of her hiking years include completing 12 rounds of the 48-4000 footers in NH, and the 4000 footers in Vermont and Maine. Her favorite hike will forever be the Bonds, a 22 mile traverse through the Pemigewasset Wilderness of the White Mountains.She was very proud of introducing her grandchildren to hiking and bringing them up to stay in 9 of the 16 AMC huts in New Hampshire. Also during retirement, Mary and Tom spent several winters volunteering at a hospital down in St Lucia. Despite the spartan conditions, Mary really enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of the hospital.
Highlights of her last few years include taking her granddaughter Margie to Machu Picchu in Peru in 2014, and taking granddaughters Ellie, Alex, Eliza and Isabel on a memorable trip to Costa Rica in 2015. While in Costa Rica, she decided she better zipline now or never! What a good memory to re-enact when up in Heaven!
Mary branched out into international trekking over the past few years as well. She walked 150 miles on the Camino de Santiago in 2012 (Spain), and the following summer doing another hike on the Via Francigena walking from Sienna to Rome.
Mary was a member of the Sandwich library where she volunteered for 20 years, commonly known as “The inventory lady”. She also served on the Parks and Rec committee and for a short time on the budget committee. She also volunteered for Interlakes Community Caregivers as a driver for those who needed rides here and there. She was the long-time treasurer for the Over the Hill Hikers group. She was always busy and loved to stay involved, and she formed many strong friendships along the way.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Tom Cullen of Center Sandwich, NH. Her two brothers: Peter Lennon of Brussels, Belgium, and David Lennon of London, England. Her four sons and their wives: John and Jennifer Cullen of Needham, MA; Brian Cullen and June Schmunk of Amherst, NH; Fergus and Jenny Cullen of Dover, NH; and Rory Cullen and Laura Connor of Park City, UT. She also leaves her nine grandchildren: Margie, Ellie, and Michael (John); Alex, Eliza and Isabel (Brian);and Jacob, Myles and Fiona (Fergus). She also leaves countless cousins throughout the world, and too many friends to count. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her step father, Dr Joe Woodcock.
The family would like to thank the Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice for their wonderful care and support over the past five months, and the other caregivers, friends, and extended family who have made it possible to keep Mary at home. Also, thanks to the staff at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Care for their care during her illness.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 2:00-4:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
A brief visitation will be held from 9:00-9:45am Monday, December 7, 2015 prior to the mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 300 NH Rt 25, Meredith, NH 03253. A Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated at 10 a.m. , Monday, December 7, 2015 also at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Burial will immediately follow in the family lot in Center Sandwich Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Church of Sandwich, P.O. Box 267 Center Sandwich, NH 03227 for their roof restoration project, to St Charles Borromeo for their building fund, P.O. Box 237, Meredith, NH 03253 or to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.