On Sunday July 24th, 2022, Maureen Cullen passed away at the age of 80 years old at her home in Glenboro, Manitoba with her family by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Sheilagh (Mike) Sattler and Brad (Roslyn) Cullen, grandchildren Kelcey (Trevor), Mitchell (Muriel), Milagh, Trey, Mikaela, Nicholas, Spencer, Jaxson, Rebecca, great grandchildren Hunter and Wyatt. Maureen is also survived by her brother Tom Donaghy (Diane) of Calgary, AB, sisters Catherine Doverspike (Reg), Patricia Manly (Trevor) and Barb Langford (Vic) all of Williams Lake, BC, as well as numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.  Maureen was predeceased by her husband David.

Maureen Elaine Cullen (Donaghy), was born October 1st, 1941 at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba to James and Janet Donaghy, and was the oldest of 4 children.  She grew up in the small northern community of Creighton, Saskatchewan, 5 miles from Flin Flon, Manitoba. Her father worked in the mines and her mother was a stay at home mom. She attended school in Creighton until grade six and then went on to Flin Flon for junior high and high school.  Maureen was very good at school, especially science, achieving high enough marks to allow her to skip grade 12 and graduate a year early. Maureen loved playing marbles, skipping and playing hopscotch and remembered the excitement of going to the circus which came to Flin Flon once a year.

Maureen always knew she wanted to be in a profession that provided care for people, so nursing seemed like the right fit. In 1959, she travelled to Winnipeg to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She was trained at the Misericordia Health Centre, which was a three-year program. In 1962, Maureen completed her nursing program diploma and started working at the same hospital. She was offered the charge nurse position in the unit she was on at the hospital but made the decision to travel elsewhere to begin her career.

Maureen moved to Stockton to live with her grandparents and took a full-time nursing position at the Glenboro Hospital. She worked long hours, both days and nights with on-call shifts, and went on many ambulance trips with the doctors. Many friends and neighbours called upon Maureen’s nursing skills and ability to handle chaotic situations in times of need. Her calm and caring approach will be remembered by many. After 43 years of nursing at the Glenboro Hospital, she retired in December 2004.

Not only was 1962 the year she received her nursing diploma, it was also the year she met the love of her life David Cullen, who she would marry in 1965. Together they farmed the Spruce Hills Stock Farms, passed down by David’s parents. They were blessed with two children, Sheilagh and Bradley. Sheilagh had a keen interest in horses and rodeos while Brad had a passion for hockey. Maureen loved following each of them to every event and game. Her love for these sports only grew when grandkids entered the picture as both Sheilagh’s and Brad’s kids shared the same interest as their parents for hockey and horses.  She was extremely proud of all of her grandkids, attending as many of their hockey games and rodeos as possible and loved receiving the updates by text when she couldn’t be there. Maureen will be remembered as always having cookies for grandkids packed away in her overflowing freezers and for her famous salsa and jam making skills.

In early retirement, Maureen loved to travel the world and shared stories of her adventures. She made the decision to move off the farm into town in 2011. In her later years she enjoyed weekly trips to play bingo in Cypress River and coffee chats with her longtime friends.

She will be remembered by many as having a heart of gold, and also the first to tell you what she was really thinking. She was a grandma to many, providing snacks and lunch hour meals to her grandkids and their school friends. Maureen spent many hours in the local rink attending the Glenboro high school hockey games to cheer on the local kids. She was known to get special baking requests from the rodeo crew and the Stockton deer hunting crew will miss her annual butter tarts and pickled eggs.

Maureen was a blessing to many and she will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Grandma.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday August 3, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Millford Cemetery with Sharon Hamilton officiating.  Following the service, a reception will be held in the Glenboro United Church C.E. Building.  Everyone is welcome.

Memorial donations can be made in Maureen’s memory to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th St. E., Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6 or to the Salvation Army Brandon Corps, 9 Princess Ave. E., Brandon, MB, R7A 1R8 or to the Glenboro & Area Foundation, (Health Care Designation), Box 147, Glenboro, MB, R0K 0X0.

Online condolences can be sent to the Cullen family by visiting www.willmorchapel.com.  Jamieson’s Funeral Services of Glenboro in care of arrangements.