from left to right, back row: Anne Marie Cullen, Joan Cullen, Bill Spencer, Aida Spencer, Linda Cullen; front row: Steve Spencer, Sean Cullen at baptism June 17, 1983
Anne Marie Sargent Cullen was one of the most remarkable women we have had the privilege to know. In the months of March and April, when new life is springing up with crocuses all around New England, we want to celebrate her life. A teacher, police chief dispatcher, and the past president of the historical society and Acord food pantry, she supported every worthy cause in the town of Hamilton, including enhancing the family activities at the park named for General George Patton. She was also a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
When we think of Anne Marie, we remember the Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans: “The kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one in this matter who is serving Christ is pleasing to God and valued by humans. Therefore, let us pursue the things of peace and the things for mutual upbuilding” (Rom 14:17-19). Anne Marie did much to pursue peace with her neighbors and bring mutual upbuilding.
When we first came to New England, forty-four years ago, from the New Jersey world, via Kentucky, she sent her children to greet us as neighbors before our newly purchased house on Maple Street in Hamilton, Massachusetts. They welcomed over our then four-year-old son. Stephen, into their home to be befriended by their four-year-old son, Sean.
Although a devout Roman Catholic and an Eucharistic minister, an acolyte, and a lector, who attended mass regularly, she also came to our now five-year-old son, Steve’s, baptism in a Presbyterian church. She and her husband Walter also attended Aida’s installation as a professor of New Testament and encouraged the local priests to allow Bill to share in officiating the wedding of her oldest daughter Linda and give a prayer for her daughter Joan’s wedding celebration.
When Bill started to work on his doctorate, taking the train and three subways into Boston University, his commute turned into a three-hour ordeal each way. She graciously had Steve come to her home each week after school and she and Sean made him feel welcomed while Bill was trying to get home.
Anne Marie was the matriarch to countless Cullens and Sargents throughout New England, the East and the West and even as far as Ireland. She even pursued peace by incorporating us, her Protestant neighbors, into their vast Irish clan. On Christmas eves, New Year’s eves, and July 4th picnics for over forty years, we were regularly invited until Anne Marie’s health became too fragile. We did not realize how fragile.
Anne Marie had just recovered from one health disaster to come to a December meeting to tell the town of Hamilton that she had taught the international children of the students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and they were a dear asset to all. The administration from Gordon-Conwell was so impressed by what she said and how she said it, they wanted to feature her in future school promotions. But she was never well enough to follow up on this request and finally at the young age of 77 her heart gave up March 22 after many months of illness.
When we came to visit her in Beverly rehab as two Presbyterian elders or ministers to pray over her and anoint her with oil in the name of the Lord Jesus (James 5:14-15), we were afraid she might see our action as her last rites, but instead she explained to her daughter Linda, you can see we Catholics and Protestants are not so different. The Lord will raise all believers in Christ up at the last days, together.
She will be dearly missed by us and by all as a true peacemaker, who brings well being to her neighbors and family and friends.
Aida and Bill
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