Therese L. Culliton

Putnam: Mrs. Therese Lena "Terri" (Dignard) Culliton, 95, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, in Putnam, Connecticut.

Therese is survived by her sons Charles "Chuck" Culliton and his wife Margarita Torres of West Hartford, Dennis Culliton and his wife Linda of Waterford, CT, and Bernard Culliton and his wife Xuemei of Nashua, NH; her loving daughter Julie Culliton-Smith and her husband Michael Smith of Las Vegas, NV; She also leaves behind ten grandchildren, Kristin, Timothy, Ashley, Ross, Patrick, Brendan, Hope, Michael, Abigail, and Art and seven great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Charles Pierce Culliton in 1997 and his daughter Alice Bertrand in 2022. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Anita, Eileen, Dorothy (Doris), and Therese, and brothers, Roger, Leonard (Pete), Bernard, and Richard (Donald).

Born on February 27, 1931, in Leominster, Massachusetts, she was the beloved daughter of Majoric and Regina (Richard) Dignard.

Therese attended St. Cecilia's School in Leominster and graduated from St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg in 1949. She pursued further education at the Western Telegraph Operator Training School as a teletypist. Therese worked at various locations throughout New England. It was during her final assignment in Southbridge that she met Charles Pierce Culliton, who would become her husband and lifelong partner.

After marrying Charles and raising their family, Therese devoted herself to creating a warm and loving home. Once her children were in school, she returned to work as a teletype setter for the Southbridge News, where her precision and dedication were highly valued. Later, she worked at Cabot Safety Corporation, manufacturing safety glasses and goggles.

Therese's life was enriched by her many passions. A lifelong lover of music, she continued piano lessons into her eighties and enjoyed playing pieces like Debussy's "Clair de Lune". She was an accomplished cook, preparing dishes such as tourtières and golumkis that reflected her French-Canadian heritage (and her Polish neighbors). She also found joy in bird watching, particularly cardinals and bluebirds.

Her faith was central to her life. A devoted Catholic, she served in numerous roles at parishes across New England, including catechism teacher, Eucharistic Minister, and prayer group leader, St. George's Food Bank, a member of the Lay Franscicans, and a follower of Padre Pio. Even in her later years at Matulaitis Rehabilitation Center, she remained committed to daily Mass.

Calling hours will be held on April 7, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton Street, Southbridge. A Funeral Mass will be held on April 8, 2026, at 10:00am at St. Mary's Church, 247 Hamilton Street, Southbridge. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Southbridge.

Therese lived a life of faith and service. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her as they celebrate a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donting to Alzhiemers Association MA Chapter, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 or online at alzfdn.org