Betty L. (Clifford) Cullen

Betty L. Cullen, 99, lifelong Chicagoan, living in Oak Park the last 2.5 years. Loving wife of the late Martin J. Cullen. Preceded in death by her parents Daniel and Irene (Nickelsen) Clifford.  Caring mother of Carolyn (Bill McLaughlin) and Mary (stillborn) and grandmother to Clare and Mary. Devoted sister of the late Pat (Bill) Burke and Alice Mae (died age 2). Beloved aunt to Tom, Jim (Laurie Cooker), Bob, Dan (Patty) and Margie (Steve Wohlfrom), as well as sister-in-law to the extended Cullen clan. 

Betty grew up on Carroll Avenue near Garfield Park, in a close-knit neighborhood where many people found their lifelong loves, and she would later marry Mart, the boy next door. She attended Mundelein College for two years, on an academic scholarship. She used her earnings as the accountant and office manager at Packinghouse Byproducts, to buy her father the first TV in the neighborhood, after he was paralyzed by a stroke, and supported her mother and sister after his passing.  

After a successful 20 year career, Betty was happy to turn her energy and organization to her life with Mart, and they were older parents ahead of their time. They were saddened by the loss of their first daughter Mary at birth, but thrilled by the birth of their second, Carolyn. Betty was wonderful about driving cousins and neighbors to school for years and volunteering at St. John Bosco School. She cared for her own mother until the end, and selflessly helped aunts with doctor appointments and daily tasks. She was a devoted Catholic who set an admirable example by helping others, attending Mass, and loved praying the Rosary until the end.

Visitation Thursday 3:00pm - 8:00pm at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park.  Funeral 10:00am Friday processing to Ascension Catholic Church where Mass will be held at 10:30am.  Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  Info. 708-366-2200 or www.ZimmermanHarnett.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (http://macular.org), or just follow the advice of the bumper sticker on Mart’s Vista Cruiser station wagon, “Have You Hugged Your Kid Today?”

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