Obituary of Edith M Cullen

Edith M. Cullen (nee Whelan), of Longwood, FL, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, just 7 weeks short of her 95^th birthday.  Edith was predeceased by Robert P. Cullen, her loving husband of 37 years; her parents, Charles P. Whelan & Edith Whelan (nee Taurozzi) and her younger brother and sister-in-law, Charles R. Whelan & Kathleen Whelan (nee McQueeney).

Edith is survived by her younger sister, Dolores M. Bonica of Amherst, MA; her 3 children: Eileen P. Monani (nee Cullen) & Richard of Longwood, FL, Robert C. Cullen & Filomena of Alpine & Lavallette, NJ & Kevin M. Cullen & Elaine of Lake Mary, FL. In addition, Edith, who was lovingly known to them as MiMa, is survived by her 6 grandchildren: Michele Karrlsson-Willis (nee Monani) & Adam of Orlando, FL, Timothy A. Cullen & Julie of Stephens City, VA, Joseph R. Monani & Olivia of Emerson, NJ, Scott P. Cullen & Jennifer of West Hills, CA, Michael P. Monani of Longwood, FL and Carrie C. Cullen of Hamburg, NJ.  Also, as a result of Bob’s marriage to Filomena, Edith welcomed her children, Nicholas Rosasco & Olivia of Denver, CO and Natasha Rosasco of Boston, MA into the family.

In addition to her loving children and grandchildren, Edith, again MiMa, was blessed with 9 great grandchildren: Grace Karrlsson-Willis, Thomas Cullen, Iris Karrlsson-Willis, Cameran Cullen, Theodore Cullen, Carmela Cullen, Juliet Monani, Victoria Monani and James Cullen.

She also leaves behind 5 loving nieces: Kathleen Scapp (nee Whelan), Maureen Whelan, Patricia Bonica, Colleen Whelan and Cheryl Carolla (nee Bonica) and their families, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Born in West New York, NJ, Edith & Bob moved to Fort Lee, NJ to raise their family and family was always the focal point of Edith’s long life.  While Edith worked briefly in several positions, both before and after marriage, her primary vocation in life was that of a wife, mother and homemaker – a role she valued and took extremely seriously.  Eventually, after enjoying summer after summer at the Jersey Shore, they purchased a second home in Lavallette, NJ, with the intention of retiring there. Several years after Bob’s passing, Edith moved to Lavallette on a full-time basis, where she became active and involved in a host of church-related and civic organizations, including the Rosary Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America, Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Lavallette Seniors, to name a few.  She took up bowling in her 70s, was a BINGO worker extraordinaire and happily greeted and registered all voters on Election Day as a dedicated poll worker.

A lifelong and devout Roman Catholic, Edith was most recently a communicant of Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL.  Prior to that, she attended Mass and was an active parishioner at St. Bonaventure (now St. Pio of Pietrelcina) in Lavallette, NJ & Madonna Church in Fort Lee, NJ.

As Edith’s life ran longer and longer, she became more emotionally affected by commercials on television for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  She was incredibly moved by the stories of these brave children and their families engaged in a life and death battle with various childhood cancers. For that reason, in lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to this organization in Mom’s memory.

Whether you knew her as Mom, MiMa or just Edie, we are all deeply saddened by her loss.  However, embracing our faith, we are also overjoyed that she is no longer suffering from any pain or anguish and has finally been reunited with her loved ones, who have been waiting to welcome her for some time.  We also take comfort in the knowledge and hope that we will all be reunited at some point in the less than immediate future.

For condolences, directions, or information 201-944-0100 or frankpatti.com.