Anna CULLEN

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CULLEN: June 6, 1916 – April 30, 2014. It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mum, Anna Frances Cullen, and yet it is with joy that we celebrate the wonderful life of an extraordinary woman of 97 who will be dearly missed. Frances, (Toots), leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. She loved her family, and performing traditional country music, singing, and dancing. She was a gifted yodeller, guaranteed to draw a crowd. Anna grew up in Baldur Manitoba, and lost her mother at four years of age. She was adopted by the Blaines, and married her first husband, country musician George McClelland as a teenager; and had three children, Jim, Gerry and Gloria. They took to the road hopping freights and singing for their supper across the Rockies. She gained fame in the 30’s, performing with The Royal American Shows and Alberta Slim; billed as Canada’s Roy Rogers. She also performed at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl, winning first prize. In 1947 at Vancouver, she married a decorated WW2 Soldier, John Cullen, from Brandon Man., who fathered her fourth child, Linda. Frances also travelled to Nashville, Cape Breton, (where she had breakfast with Rita McNeil; who told her to ``keep on singing Frances``), and later to Hawaii, where, in her 90’s, she taught the Hula Instructors a few moves! She was an avid bowler until age 93. A Celebration of Life Memorial Tea will be held at 1pm on August 16, at St Andrews Anglican Church 20955 Old Yale Road in Langley, all are welcome. We are asking those who attend to wear something blue in honor of Mum’s favorite color. Frances`s ashes will be interred at Brandon Cemetery in Manitoba at the end of August. Our thanks go to Dr. DeLair, the nurses at Harrison Pointe and The Langley Hospice staff for their loving and tender care given to our Mum in her final days. If you wish to give a charitable gift in France’s memory please consider the Langley Hospice Society. Contact Linda at 604)-533-8430, for more information.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 07, 2014