Eleanor Nofer Cullinan

AIKEN, S.C. Eleanor "Ellie" Nofer Cullinan, age 94, of Aiken S. C., passed away peacefully at Anchor Health and Rehabilitation Home on October 31, 2013. Ellie was born August 22, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of William " Bill" Wood Nofer, and Mary Agnus Murphy Nofer. Ellie was predeceased by her husband, former Aiken County Councilman, Ralph F. Cullinan, and by her only sibling, Mary Nofer Haines of Maine. Ellie was raised in Philadelphia, and attended Lansdowne High School in Lansdowne, Pa. She then attended Immaculata College in Philadelphia. Afterwards, Ellie served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, Aircraft Warning Service in Philadelphia, from where she received an Honorable Service Discharge in 1944. Ellie and Ralph were introduced on a blind date in Joliette, Illinois, by her sister Mary. The couple was soon married and lived in Richland, Washington, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Ralph was a Nuclear Chemist with E. I. DuPont Company, employed by the top secret Manhattan Project. The couple then moved to Aiken, S.C., in association with the Savannah River Plant, in 1952. They raised three children in Aiken; Tom, Cathy, and Mimi. The Cullinan's were devoted attendees of mass at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church on Park Avenue in Aiken. Ellie was also Secretary at St Mary's Elementary School from 1962-1971. Both proudly of Irish descent, the Cullinan's were renowned for their enthusiasm and laughter, invariably portraying their dry witted Irish sense of humor. Ellie was always busy with her community work, both at her church and school, and as a member of the Aiken Town and Country Club, The Aiken Garden Club, and both Highland Park and Houndslake women's golf associations. She was an avid and excellent bridge player, being a member of several bridge clubs, most notably at St Mary's. She and Ralph were members of the church choir; they were both excellent singers. Their voices were heard in such musicals in Aiken as My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and Oklahoma...all raising money for the American Diabetes Foundation. Ellie leaves behind many who will cherish the memory of her always positive, never complaining attitude even when faced with debilitating illnesses. Ellie is survived by her three children, Thomas William Cullinan (Janice),Columbia, S.C., Cathleen Cullinan Fay (Bruce), Narberth, Pa. and Mary "Mimi" Teresa Cullinan () Aiken, S.C. Seven wonderful Grandsons; David Brewster Fay, Ethan Bradshaw Fay, Zachary Lyle Fay, and Micah Cullinan Fay, all of Philadelphia. William Francis Cullinan, Thomas Henry Cullinan, and John Cormac Cullinan of Columbia, S.C. All seven Grandsons will act as her honorary pallbearers. Ellie will be remembered as always an impeccably dressed lady with a soft voice and infectious smile that emitted an almost palpable kindness to all around her. She was always busy, always enthusiastic, and always ready to volunteer in the next community event - always giving back what she felt were the many blessings given to her. A requiem mass and celebration of Eleanor Cullinan's long and well-lived life will be held at 11AM, at St Mary's Help of Christians Church, Park Ave, Aiken, S.C. On the 9th of November 2013. The family will receive friends at the Wilcox Inn following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, Ellie has asked that donations be made to the St Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 438, Aiken, S.C. 2980, or the Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N. W. 9th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33136. There will be a Rosary service on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 6:15 PM at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. The family will receive friends afterwards until 8:00 PM. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Ellie’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor Nofer Cullinan, please visit our flower store.