Eleanor Cullinane Sine

Eleanor “Ellie” Cullinane Sine, 92, of Vero Beach, Florida, and formerly of Lynn, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at her Vero Beach home on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on October 24, 1932, in Medford, Ellie was the beloved daughter of the late Ret. Somerville Fire Chief Walter F. and Marie G. (Welch) Cullinane. She grew up in a loving Irish Catholic household and carried that warmth and grace with her throughout her life.

She lived in Somerville, Lynn, Washington, D.C., Ipswich, Holden, Shrewsbury, and Yarmouth Port. In 1990, she and her husband, Dick, retired to Vero Beach, Florida where she resided for the past thirty-five years.

A proud and diligent professional, Ellie worked as a licensed realtor in Massachusetts, guiding clients with her integrity and warmth, and building meaningful relationships throughout her career.

Ellie was the devoted wife of the late Richard “Dick” Sine, with whom she shared fifty-six years of marriage. Together, they raised a family grounded in love, faith, and resilience. In the early 1990s, Ellie and Dick opened their hearts once more when they adopted and raised their granddaughter, LeeAnne, providing her with a joyful and nurturing home that brought immense joy and purpose to their retirement years.

Their bond was a testament to the enduring strength of family and the selfless love that defined Ellie’s life.

A woman of deep faith, Ellie was a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church and St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, where she was an active member of both choirs. Her love of music and devotion to her faith brought joy to many and was a central part of her life and community.

Ellie is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Christina Sine of Douglas, Mass., Deborah Holloway of Vero Beach, Florida, and her adopted daughter and granddaughter, LeeAnne Sine, a United States Navy veteran of Washington, D.C.

She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Jacob Connolly, United States Air Force veteran currently residing in South Korea; Kayla Holloway of Vero Beach, Florida and Austin Lemos of Douglas as well as her cherished great-granddaughter, Lilja Connolly.

In addition she leaves her niece and nephew, Karen A. Gurnett and Brian Couture, and her dearest friend, Bonnie Coulson, whose faithful support and companionship after Dick’s passing became a precious blessing to Ellies later years and her sister-in-law, Rosina Cullinane of Melrose.

She was the sister of the late Ann M. Couture, John J. Cullinane and Eugene Cullinane.

Ellie was also the sister-in-law to the late Stephen Sine (Bedford, MA), and cousin to the late Warren Barrett (Bedford, MA).

In addition, she was the aunt of the following nieces and nephews:

Brian J. Couture (Waltham, MA), Karen D. Gurnett (Tewksbury, MA), Lieutenant Richard G. Couture (Hudson, MA), the late Donna M. Roberts (West Newbury, MA), the late Marie T. Delaney (Waltham, MA), Nancy Weis (Cullinane) of Kennebunk, Maine, Sandra Dawes (Cullinane) and her husband Scott Dawes of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Dennis Cullinane and his wife Karen Cullinane of Newburyport, Massachusetts, Patricia Cullinane of Petersburg, Virginia, Jason Cullinane and his wife Yuki Honjo Cullinane of West Falmouth, Massachusetts, Erin Villaverde (Cullinane) and her husband Andrew Villaverde, and Jeffrey Cullinane and his wife Dr. Joan Cullinane of Hampton, New Hampshire.

Ellie leaves many other loving relatives and friends, including Jo Anne and Carroll Connolly of Blairsville, Georgia, and Peter and the late Donna Foote of Middleton, MA

She was also the beloved niece of her late aunt Mildred Bernadette Welch that cared for the family during Ellie’s mother’s chronic illness and untimely death.

Ellie’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Pius V Church, 215 Maple Street, Lynn. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn.

To watch a broadcast of Ellie’s Funeral Mass please visit www.hostcatholiclynn.org at 10 a.m. on Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John of the Cross, Bishop’s Fund 7550 26th St., Vero Beach, FL 32966 https://www.stjohnsvero.org , The Indian River County Volunteer Ambulance Squad. http://www.ridevas.net , Samaritan Homeless Center, 3650 41st St., Vero Beach FL 32967 or to St. John’s Seminary, 127 Lake St, Brighton, MA 02135.