Mary C. Cullen- 93, a long-time North Reading resident, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, after a short illness.
Mary was born in West Newbury, MA, the fourth of the five children of the late Michael and Alice (Cooney) Leary. She graduated from West Newbury High School (2nd in her class!) and Regis College. In 1958, she married the late Philip Cullen, her beloved husband of 55 years. They moved to North Reading, MA in 1960, into the first house built in the Eugley Park neighborhood, and together raised their three children.
Known for her calm, gentle and steadfast manner, as well as a shy smile, Mary was a respected manager at Agfa Employees Federal Credit Union and a longtime member of St. Theresa Parish, where she was a regular volunteer and in retirement, also a popular lector noted for projecting her voice so that all could hear.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathleen Cullen Kirks and her husband John of Andover, a son Kevin of Stoneham, and two grandchildren, Lacey and Hayden Kirks, both of Boston, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by a son, Philip, Jr., as well as her brothers Daniel C. Leary and John M. Leary, and sisters Margaret L. Walker and Carol A. Derro.
The family thanks the staffs of the Arbors at Stoneham, Winchester Hospital and the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers for their loving care of Mary this summer and fall.
Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, MA on Saturday, November 7th, with calling hours from 9:00 to 10:20 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
www.croswellfuneralhome.com
Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Cullen and her loved ones.