Anne Ruth Cullen

Anne R. Cullen, 88, of Bowie, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home on January 2, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on September 29, 1937, in Framingham, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of John and Ruth (Callahan) Sheehan.

Anne received her early education at St. Stephen’s Grammar School in Framingham, followed by The Academy of the Assumption in Wellesley. She went on to attend St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education and served as student body president during her senior year. While pursuing her master’s degree in history at Boston College, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Cullen. Both received their master’s degrees in May 1961 and were married that August.

After two years in Laurel, Maryland, Anne and Bob settled in Bowie, where they built their home and spent the remainder of their lives together. Anne dedicated her career to education and service. She taught middle school in Framingham, Massachusetts, and later in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland. She served as Director of Religious Education at St. Pius X Church before teaching for fourteen years at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland. There, she began teaching religion, later transitioned to social studies, and eventually became chair of the Social Studies Department. She also served as an advisor to the Student Government and the National Honor Society.

During her years at Seton, Anne became deeply involved in the Archdiocese of Washington’s ECHO retreat program, becoming one of the few qualified retreat leaders in this program. She was also very active in the high school CYO program at St. Pius X, organizing and participating in day trips and activities, including Ocean City outings, camping, rafting, and cave exploration. Together, Anne and Bob were involved in the Faith and Light program for adults with special needs for over 35 years, welcoming participants into their home for weekly sessions. She and her husband’s service was recognized by Arc, and they were awarded the Archdiocese of Washington’s Rocky Stone Award for their work with special needs individuals.

Following the Second Vatican Council, Anne was among a small group of women invited to serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers at St. Pius X, and she was an early prefect of the church’s Sodality. She and Bob also volunteered together delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound residents in the Bowie area. In addition, Anne worked for many years with the Maryland Department of Health Board of Review, which heard appeals for individuals denied insurance coverage, eventually serving as chair of the board. Even after her retirement, she remained active, substituting at St. Pius X grade school and privately tutoring students.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her beloved husband, Bob; her children Robert (Mary), John (Susan), Cathleen (Andy), Anne Marie (Harry), and Brian (Katie); her sister, Ellen; and her cousin Sr. Rachel Callahan, who was like another sister to her. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Anne found joy in traveling, attending daily Mass, knitting, spending time at the beach, and especially being with her grandchildren. She and Bob led seven trips to Europe for friends and members of their local community. She was well known for her famous apple pies and for opening her home and her heart to family, friends, and anyone in need. Her kindness, faith, and generosity touched countless lives. We are all better people for having known her, and she will be deeply missed.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in her name to:

Hospice of the Chesapeake

90 Ritchie Highway

Pasadena, MD 21122

Or

Saint Mary’s College

Development Office

110 LaMans Hall

Notre Dame, IN 46556