Deborah J. Cullen

Hampton – It is with deep sadness that our family shares the news that Deborah J. Cullen, 75, long-time resident of Hampton, NH passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, after a brief illness. Beloved daughter of the late Anthony E. “Joe” Cullen and Lorraine R. Cullen. Loving sister to Anthony E. Cullen III of Hampton, Patricia L. Cullen and her husband Mark Chessick of Nashua, and William F. Cullen and his wife Karen of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Dear niece to Ellen Northan, Rochester, NY. Cherished cousin to many in the family (Bruno, Cullen, Northan and Pattison). Wonderful Aunt to Hannah and Molly Scott. We will remember Deb as a kind and selfless spirit. She possessed unconditional love for members of her family. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and was always willing to help others. Deb was born in Woburn, MA on August 20, 1950. She joined Tony as the second child to Joe and Lorraine. She lived her early life in Woburn, close to Joe’s family with plenty of doting aunts, uncles and grandparents, and cousins to play with. She was well loved by her Grandparents and Aunt Ellen in Lombard, IL. In the fall of 1955, the family moved north to Conway, NH when Joe began working as a contract engineer for an icing research laboratory on Mount Washington. A later move to Jackson, NH rounded out four years in the north. Deb loved growing up in that area. She often recalled stories of going to school in Jackson’s two-room schoolhouse, having days off for ski lessons, and flying down Valley Cross Road on her bike with her friends. Time in the mountains led to her love of skiing and camping. In 1958, Deb became a big sister when Pat was born. In 1959, the family followed Joe’s work to Greeley, CO and spent weekends exploring the mountains and ghost towns. A year later the family moved to Hampton, NH, brother Bill was born, eventually settling in on Winnacunnet Road. Deb attended Hampton Junior High and Winnacunnet High School. Due to a medical issue, Deb attended school remotely for a year listening in to her classes on an intercom. Despite this, Deb was able to keep up with her studies, go on a school trip to Rome and the Vatican, and graduate with her class in 1967. During those years Deb enjoyed skiing – including Tuckerman’s with brother Tony, hiking, camping and sailing. After graduation, Deb began work as a nurse’s aide in several care facilities on the seacoast. Deb then became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) shifting to private duty nursing services. For a period, she joined her cousin volunteering for Project Christopher, a Catholic outreach program, in Quebec helping the underprivileged. Eventually Deb headed west with a friend to live in Boulder, CO for a couple years where she enjoyed skiing and hiking during time off. She then moved on to Santa Ana, CA to continue nursing. Deb was kind enough to put up with her two brothers living with her for a spell as they too made their way to CA for work. In 1983 Deb headed back to Hampton, deciding after years of nursing, a career change was in order. She was hired by Jordan Marsh and was on board the day they opened their store at the Fox Run Mall in Newington. She continued through the Macy’s buyout of Jordans and eventually retired in 2021 after 35 years and several roles including Sales Associate, Cash Office Manager, and Fine Jewelry Associate, among others. Along the way Deb earned numerous employee service and customer service awards. One memorable perk – marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as one of the linesmen for the massive Bullwinkle balloon. Though she retired from her career, Deb continued to provide, through love and tireless dedication, care for her aging Mom through her end of life in September last year. Deb enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. The family has great memories of time spent with Deb including sailing with dad in the British Virgin Islands, trips to St. Thomas, travels to parts of Canada with her cousin and later to PEI with Pat and Mark, her trip to France with mom and the Newburyport Choral Society, among others. Frequent get-away trips to Orlando with Pat and Mom were always fun, with one trip fulfilling a dream – viewing the last Space Shuttle launch. Many family photos will keep all these memories alive. In later years Deb enjoyed attending numerous classical concerts, film festivals at the Portsmouth Music Hall, and the annual Scottish Highland games at Loon Mountain. In many ways, Deb was the glue to our family – keeping tabs with extended family members over the years and always remembering key family facts and dates. Deb, we will miss you more than words can say. A private prayer service and interment at Hampton Cemetery will be held in the spring. Expressions of condolence may be sent to the family home in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local food pantry or a charity of your choice in her name.

Deborah J. Cullen

August 20, 1950 - January 30, 2026