OLD TOM IS DEAD
“Fun for all at a later date”
J. Joyce
March 30, 1938 – May 6, 2021
Ní fheicfimid a leithéid arís
There will never be the likes of him again
When Tom died our family, and indeed the world, lost a kind and gentle Irishman. For the past year Tom suffered from ODTAA (one damn thing after another), before dying of B-cell Lymphoma. With the help of Evergreen Hospice, we were able to care for Tom until he died at home on May 6, 2021.
Tom was born in Dublin, Ireland and was educated there, graduating from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1959. He then started a great adventure, going to Prince Rupert, B.C. as a volunteer 4th grade teacher. After two years he moved to Edmonton, Alberta where he entered the seminary; in 1965 he was ordained a Catholic priest for the Vicariate of Prince George, B.C. When assigned to Terrace, B.C. he met Kathy, a volunteer nurse at the local hospital, and the sparks did fly!
In 1968 Tom entered graduate school at the University of Washington, eventually receiving his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. The rest of his career was spent at the UW Medical School where he spent many years with the WAMI program.
Tom and Kathy married on January 9, 1971, and had three children: Ciara, Nick and Beth. He was a terrific Dad who had unbounded love for his family. The worst tragedy he endured was Ciara’s death from an asthma attack when she was fifteen. Nick and Beth were his greatest comfort, and the arrival of Lily, his only grandchild, gave him immense joy.
Tom liked chocolate, a nice red wine, a good game of bridge, opera, and James Joyce, having read Finnigans Wake numerous times.
Tom is survived by his wife Kathryn (Kathy) Sutton Cullen, his son James Nicholas (Nick) Cullen, his daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Sutton Cullen Ledoux (Kevin), and his adored granddaughter, Lily Ledoux. He also leaves 3 sisters and a brother in Ireland, and numerous nieces and nephews in Ireland, Canada, and the United States. He was loved by all he met, and his laugh and smile will forever be missed.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine be warm upon your face.
May the rains fall upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
If desired, memorials can go to Horizon House Continuing Care Retirement Community ( https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/HorizonHouse_1/OnlineDonation.html ) or to Evergreen Hospice ( www.evergreenhealth.com/hospice-care ) .