Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Leokadia Doris Kobylarz Cullen, 98, passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Spring Arbor of Fredericksburg.  Born in Passaic, NJ on March 6, 1924 to the late Antonina Hudzik and Wojciech Kobylarz, Ms. Cullen was an enthusiastic business student and graduated as the Salutatorian of her Passaic High School Class of 1941.  Her first job after high school was with Saks on Fifth Avenue, requiring her to travel by bus into New York City.  She was quickly snatched from the Correspondence Unit after proving her proficiency in both stenography and writing, working directly for the owner, Adam Gimbel.

Seeking a more challenging position and less of a commute, she found a position at Curtis-Wright, and worked with many creative scientists and engineers.  She also met her future husband there, and temporarily left the workforce to raise their two children.

Ms. Cullen loved to sing, and was a mezzo-soprano with Pompton Plains Presbyterian Church Choir in NJ for many years.  After retirement from Elwin G. Smith in Pittsburgh, PA, she moved to the Foxwood Community in Englewood, FL and was a member of the Venice Presbyterian Church Choir.  She often sang solos during services and at weddings and funerals.  Ms. Cullen loved to golf, swim and play pool.

Survivors include daughters Gail Ratliffe (Joe) of King George and Susan Surrency (Don) of Gainesville, FL; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Cullen was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary, Josephine and Violet.

A private burial will take place at a later date at St. John’s Episcopal Church in King George.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following charities: St Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org), Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) or Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org).

Ms. Cullen truly appreciated the loving care she received from her daughters and son-in-laws.   She also often expressed deep and enduring appreciation for her caretakers, including Willette, Angie, Mimi, Laurie and the many skilled employees who brightened her days at Spring Arbor, Fredericksburg.  Her family is grateful to Mary Washington Hospice for their support of Ms. Cullen.

Online condolences may be made to www.storkefuneralhome.com.