Obituary
Barbara A. (Cummings) Cullinane, a longtime resident of Somerville, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024, at Santa Maria Nursing Center in Cambridge. She was 94.
Barbara was born in Melrose, to the late William A. and Isabel M. (O’Shea) Cummings. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis B. Cullinane and proud mother of the late Michael F. Cullinane (Harvard University, Class of 1981).
A graduate of Sargent College at Boston University, Barbara, alongside her husband, Frank, founded the Burlington Paint and Wallpaper Company in 1957. Following Frank’s death in 1987, Barbara successfully operated the business up until her retirement.
Barbara and Frank were instrumental in founding the Somerville High School Band Parents Booster Club. They also established and endowed the Michael Cullinane Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to an aspiring college student, following Michael’s passing in 1982.
A woman of great faith, Barbara was a longtime parishioner of Saint Clement Parish in Somerville.
Barbara treasured her family – both immediate and extended – and had a large circle of friends that stretched around the globe. Not one to sit idle, she enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally – particularly with her younger sister, Dorothy. Her energy level was unmatched, and she remained incredibly active in her later years – whether white water rafting in the Grand Canyon, line dancing at the local senior center each week, or taking computer classes at the community center.
In addition to her husband and son, Barbara was predeceased by her brothers, William and John Cummings; her nieces, Lisa Cummings and Mia (McCrossan) Pfitzer, and nephew, Stephen Russ.
Barbara is survived by her sister, Dorothy Sacks, and husband Phil, of Edmonds, Washington; and sister-in-law, Mary Cummings, of Rockland.
She was the adored “Aunty Barbara” of many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00.
A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated for Barbara, in St. Clement Church, Somerville/Medford, Wednesday morning at 9:30am, please meet at Church.
Relatives and friends invited.
Interment, Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA, Wednesday at 1:15pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to the Michael F. Cullinane Scholarship Fund, c/o S.H.S. Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 440275, Somerville, MA 02144.