In Loving Memory

Vivian Marie Cullingham, d. Feb. 8, 2014

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Tribute

In Loving Memory

 February 7, 1929  –  February 8, 2014

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Josephine, AL

Our beloved wife and mother Vivian Marie Cullingham died peacefully at home on February 8, 2014.  She was 85 years old.  Vivian was born Vivian Marie Haddad in 1929 in Mattawa, Ontario, the second of three sisters.  She attended Sudbury High School and was trained as a Registered Nurse at St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Ontario.  She began her nursing career in Temiscaming, Quebec, where she met and married a young chemical engineer, her husband of 61 years, Donald Cullingham.  All four of their children were born in Temiscaming.  The Cullinghams then embarked on a whirlwind adventure of travel, work and fun that took them to Alaska, Paris, Ohio, Tunisia, New Jersey, Quebec, New Brunswick and Alabama. 

 In 2000, Vivian and Donald finally built a house and “settled down” in the beautiful coastal community of Josephine, Alabama, where they made many new friends and hosted countless guests.  Vivian was a renown cook and in addition to the beautiful weather and location, visitors enjoyed daily feasts of haute cuisine.                                                                                                      

Vivian was a wonderful gardener and her beautiful flower beds graced every house they lived in.  With Donald she tended their bountiful vegetable gardens, whose products they shared with neighbours far and wide.  Vivian was a funny, kind and generous woman.  She elicited an extraordinary level of devotion in both family and friends.  Vivian was pre-deceased by her mother and father Jeanne and Sam Haddad and by her sister Selma Teahen.

She leaves to cherish her memory her dearly loved husband Donald Cameron Cullingham, her children Cameron, Ann, David and Jean, grandchildren Kyle, Jean, Nick, Elisa and Tim, her sister Sandra Young of Toronto and countless  friends and relations all over the world.

 The family wishes to thank neighbours, family and friends as well as Comfort Keepers, Covenant Hospice,  and Amedisys Home Health, who all helped make Vivian as comfortable as possible, and have comforted us in this hard time.

 A memorial service will be held for Vivian at the Josephine Baptist Church at 6854 County Road 95, Elberta Alabama on Saturday, February 22 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception lunch.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.  Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com.  Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory, 7951 American Way, Daphne, AL. 36526.

32 Comments

  1. Maureen (de Boer) Williams

    A lovely, vivacious soul! I don’t think I ever saw her without her lipstick on. Gracious and kind, she left her mark on so many. I hope she’s enjoying a cocktail with my Mom & Dad right now!

    Much love to all of you! Maureen (and Dennis) xxxx

    Reply
  2. Lois & Larry Neil

    Our heartfelt condolences to Vivian’s family.

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  3. Brenda Belliveau

    Hail Mary, full of grace. Blessed are thou amongst women. Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
    Holy Mary, mother of God. Prayer for us sinners now and in the hour of our death, Amen.

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  4. Amanda Brooks

    Thinking of you & your family jean at this difficult time. Love & prayers. Rest peacefully Vivian <3

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  5. David & Nancy Cronkhite

    To Jean and family we wish to extend our sincere condolences in the dealth of Vivian. May you cherish the memories of the wonderful times you spent with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  6. Lois and Richard Watson

    Did not know Vivian but we do know Jean and sending prayers and love to all the family during this sad time.

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  7. Debbie (Hanson) Doiron

    Dear Uncle Donald & Family. My family sends our condolences to your family on the passing of Aunt Vivian.

    Peter, Debbie, Craig, Kevin & James Doiron

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  8. Kathy and Sheldon Ellis

    Wish I could be there for you Jean. vivian was a classy lady right to the end. Love and hugs to you and family.

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  9. Nancy McQuade

    Thinking of you Jean and your family!! Sorry to hear of the death of your Mother Vivian!!!

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  10. Linda Green

    I have so many fond memories of Vivian and Don during their stay in Monroeville, AL and our many outings and celebrations while working for ARP. Vivian was such a gracious, kind, fun loving lady. My thoughts and prayers for the family. She was a blessing to all who knew her.

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  11. Lidia Terziotti

    We Terziottis met Vivian (always Mrs. Cullingham to us kids) when we first landed in America. My father and Mr. Cullingham were fast friends, she and my mother were fast friends, and they became our American family. A fabulous cook, a warm and loving hostess, a smart and witty conversationalist, and always kind. Kind, generous, and thoughtful to everyone. Love and deepest sympathy to all her family.

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  12. Jane Diduch

    Love to the family

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  13. Sharon & Dave Dunham

    Our heartfelt sympathies to Don and all his family. We met in Monroeville, Alabama through our husband’s jobs and I immediately liked them. We were fortunate enough to share in Vivian’s exquisite cooking and as a neighbor, always admired her gardening skills. Her flowers were gorgeous; and she was able to grow vegetables in Alabama that no one else could have grown. She was indeed a gracious hostess, charming, and could be very funny. It was a privilege to know her along with her wonderful husband Don…rest in peace dear Vivian…

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  14. Nort & Shelly Hargrove

    Jean: Thinking of you in your time of grief. Our love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family. May it be comfort to you knowing that such a wonderful woman is in a better place. Take care and travel safe.

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  15. Diane Lafontaine

    To Mrs Vivian’s family,

    My sincere condolences .There is no greater pain than the death of a loved one. Sometimes it seems almost more than a person can bear. Jehovah God helps us with this in His word. He promises us that He will put a stop to all sickness and death will be no more (REV 21;3.4) Jehovah shows His love for us through the ransom sacrifice of His beloved son Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift to be given ! Then the hope of seeing one’s loved ones again on this earth transformed in a paradise as it was Jehovah’s will when He created Adam & Eve .

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  16. Nicole & Guertin Levesque

    Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time. Prayers are with you and your dad.
    R.I.P Vivian

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  17. Ann cullingham

    Miss you so much Mom

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  18. Anna & Richard Teahen & Jim

    Hello Cousins and Uncle Don,

    Our condolences and prayers for Aunt Vivian.
    Although we have not been able to visit with you since the wedding in Toronto, we do miss all you.
    Over the early years of our lives we all did get to spend time together. Aunt Vivian is now with Selma, Judy,
    Nanny Jeanne and Grampa Sam. Like mom, Vivian had this great energy and love of life and family and a very positive influence on family & friends.
    Our love & prayers.

    Richard

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  19. Carolyn and Bill Waller

    Vivian will be missed in our neighborhood. The Point Yacht Club will not be the same without her smiling face!

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  20. sheila newlands

    my sincere sympathies for your loss . I had a wonderful time visiting Viv and Don a few years ago with my sister in law Jean and her husband , my bro John Maunder Wonderful memories and great feasts around her dining room table . She was a beautiful woman then as she was when I met her years ago in Nackawic NB Canada RIP dear VIVIAN

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  21. Janet Irwin (Cullingham)

    Vivian was a wonderful sister-in-law to Gordon(Cullingham) and to me, the wife he brought into the family in the early 1980s. It was a great family to join, and I treasure my continued ties to them – ties that have remained strong after Gordon’s death in 2009. Donald is the one left holding the banner for that generation, so stay strong, brother-in-law! I’m sending love to you, Ann, David, Jean and Cameron, and all the other Cullinghams who, like me, will miss Vivian’s beautiful smile and indomitable spirit.

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  22. Ed and Karen Story

    We will miss Vivian. She was a wonderful, gracious friend and hostess. Our hearts go out to Don and the family. We know she will be greatly missed. Love you guys.

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  23. Jane Sinclair Williams

    Uncle Donald and dear cousins. My heart goes out to you as you grieve for the lovely Vivian. I am pleased to have seen you all recently. I will not be able to make the funeral service, though My thoughts will be with you. I remember many visits and treasure the times I spent in that lovely home on East Quarry Rd. I can still taste the fish stew and pitas! Interesting the things one remembers. My love to you all.

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  24. Greg & Anna MacFarlane

    Hi Jean & Family
    Thinking of you all this snowy morning on 45 Pugsley Nackawic NB
    Greg

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  25. Alison Cullingham

    Vivian influenced every person in our family! Part of her influence on me was that she made me feel a part of her family, not just the Cullingham cousins, but the Haddads, too! She was generous like that. We spent the lion’s share of a lot of summers of my youth together, and I was lucky enough to have the chance to visit Alabama a few times as an adult. Good food, hard work, good cheer and constancy are things I learned about from Vivian.

    Uncle Don and cousins, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Vivian’s spirit will keep you strong.

    love from Alison Cullingham and Tom Spence.

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  26. Bob and Ana Maria Antonini

    Our paths crossed Vivian’s and Don’s in various parts of the world whilst pursuing our working careers in the pulp and paper bussiness. We always found Vivian a convivial host and great friend. We will miss very much our visits to their final refuge in Josephine once a year when we returned to Monroeville from the UK. Our heart goes to Don and her children, with a special big hug to David. Our most sincere condolences.

    Ana Maria and Bob Antonini

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  27. Jack and Nancy Whalen

    Don, Jean and family – our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Will always remember how Vivian was there for us years ago. Also have very good memories of our visit in Josephine. Vivian will never be forgotten.
    Our Deepest Sympathy
    Nancy & Jackie

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  28. Ken Gallagher

    My sincere sympathy to the family. Vivian leaves behind a lot of fond memories and good times.

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  29. ann & bill clark

    sincere sympathy
    bill clark was pharmacist in temiscaming 1958 to 1998

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  30. ann & bill clark

    Sincere sympathy
    bill & ann clark
    pharmacist in temiscaming 1958 – 1998

    Reply
  31. Colin Mooers

    Sending my thoughts and condolences to Don, Ann, Jean, David and Cameron and the rest of the family. I have fond memories of Vivian from the 70s in Nackawic, Ottawa and Princeton Junction. She was always a welcoming host and superb chef. I recall Viv serving me my first real martini among other delights from her kitchen. All the best.

    Reply

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