Bette A. Cullen

Norwood - Mrs. Bette A. (Forte) Cullen of Norwood, formerly of Watertown, died Thursday, May 1, 2014 in Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge. She was 76.

Bette was born in Brighton on August 24, 1937, a daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Richards) Forte. She was raised in Watertown where she had been lifelong member of Saint Patrick's Parish before moving to Walpole in 2001 and then to Norwood three years ago.

Following her marriage to Arlington native Edward J. 'Ted' Cullen, the couple lived in Arlington for a year before moving to Watertown where they raised their family. Until she retired Bette worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses in Watertown including the Watertown Boys & Girls Club where she and her husband were long-time supporters.

Along with taking care of her husband and children Bette kept an immaculate garden at home. She loved the simple things in life; playing cards with family and friends with a pot of coffee and good stories to pass around and dancing with Ted whenever the opportunity arose.

In addition to her husband of fifty-four years, Ted, she leaves her children, Donna Cullen of Tennessee, Darlene Cullen, Karen Lopez and her husband, James, Kathleen Cullen and her fiancé, Steve Cote, and Mark Cullen, all of Norwood; her grandchildren, Michelle Bowen, Cheryl Nye, Anthony Cota, Paul Lopez, Brian Lopez, Anthony Lopez, Sabrina Roy, Matthew Roy and Michael Roy; her sisters, Rose Caso and Joan Kelly, both of Watertown;
eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bette was also the grandmother of the late James G. Lopez, Jr. and sister of the late Anthony Forte, Jr. and Theresa Caruso.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bette's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, May 6th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

Memorial donations may be made to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, 25 Whites Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472.