1921 – 2013

SOUTH PARIS — Mary “Betty” E. Cullinan, 92, of Norway, passed away peacefully and not alone on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

She was born in Norway on Oct. 25, 1921, the daughter of H. Knox and Winifred (McKeen) Bickford. She graduated from Norway High School in 1939, and was awarded a scholarship to attend Boston University’s College of Practical Arts and Letters. While there, she was active in the German and psychology clubs, YMCA and the Sigma Scholarship Society, which consisted of the six highest-ranking students at the college. She graduated as salutatorian in 1943, also winning the award for the highest-ranking student of the 1942-43 year for the College of Practical Arts and Letters. After spending the summer of 1943 with her parents in Norway, she began a position in the accounting department of General Electric in Bridgeport, Conn., in the fall.

She became engaged to John P. Cullinan, of Norway, around the time of her graduation from Boston University. He graduated from the University of Maine in Orono in May 1943, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He left for boot camp and officer training the day after graduation, and Betty did not see him again until 1946, when he returned home from World War II. With his arrival imminent, Betty gave her notice at General Electric and returned to Norway. They were married June 29, 1946, at Christ Episcopal Church in Norway.

Together they bought a small dealership from the then-named Socony Vacuum Oil Co., and went into business as the John P. Cullinan Co. For the first few years, Betty handled the bookkeeping aspect of the business, before leaving to devote herself to family life and to raising their son, Michael. Due to John’s involvement in many community affairs, they traveled extensively throughout the United States to attend various banking, hospital and Mobil oil conventions.

She was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Ladies Thursday Morning League at Norway Country Club. She was a member of the Mt. Hope Rebekah Lodge 58, past matron, Oxford Chapter 168, Order of the Eastern Star, the Browning Reading Club, Stephens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Christ Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday school and served on the Altar Guild for more than 50 years.

She is survived by her son, Michael J. P. Cullinan and his wife, Sandy; her sister-in-law, Ann H. Bickford; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, John, in 1988; her sister, Barbara A. McGovern, in 1999; and her brother, H. Knox Bickford Jr., in 2001.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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