Marie Magdalen McCullough was born to Frederick and Anna Young in Pottstown PA on May 13, 1921. She was the youngest of 6 children … an apple cheeked, tom-boy, farm girl named after her father’s sister, Mary. She was raised in rural NJ and graduated Salutatorian from Haddonfield High School in 1938. On May 30, 1942 she married the love of her life, Chet E. McCullough. They later lived in Palmyra, NJ and raised 4 children; Barry, Gerry, Mike and Patty.
She worked at Esterbrook Pen, RCA, Macmillan Publishers, and most notably as a cashier – hostess at Villari’s Milmarian Restaurant. She was active in Sacred Heart PTA, served as president of the Woman’s Democratic Club, and held the position of municipal court clerk and tax collector in Palmyra.
She retired to Kent, WA in 1986 and became involved with the Kent Senior Activity Center enjoying frequent hikes and trips. She was a mentor at Kent Elementary School, was involved in the Parenting Plus program, and chaperoned many field trips. She knitted and crocheted 100’s of items (hats, scarves and leggings) for the homeless in South King County through Knit-It-All and made hats and blankets for babies at the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent. She was involved with Holy Spirit Church as a Grief minister and Eucharistic minister.
Due to a debilitating medical condition, she spent the next 5 years as a resident at Stafford Suites and then as a resident of East Hill Elder Care. She died peacefully in the arms of God at Valley Medical Center on March 27, 2009.
Her greatest gift to us was her mother’s love … it was bottomless and never-ending, so naturally her last words to each of us as children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren was “I love you”.
She is survived by a sister Helen in Palm Coast, FL; her four children: Barry and his wife Barbara of Middleton, DE; Gerry and her husband, Bob of Lowell, OR; Mike of Silver Spring, MD; and Patty of Elkton, MD. Her grandchildren include Brenda, Brian, Jody, Bevin and Megan and her great- grandchildren are Genia, Kay-Leigh, Kieran, Krystelle, Teddi-Anne and Delilah.
A memorial mass will be held at 10am on May 13 (her birthday) at Holy Spirit Church in Kent followed by a reception. Remembrance donations in her name can be made to any Catholic charity or church.
When my life here is over,
And I escape this earth,
I’ll go back to my God,
For Him to judge my worth.
Buy no flowers for me.
I’ll not see nor smell them there.
Just say a prayer for me,
When you think of me and care.
And think of me real often,
Especially when your day
Is filled with fun and gladness;
Remember me that way.
By Marie M. McCullough
January 1989