Mary Catherine Anger

1927 - 2022

East Lyme - Mary Catherine Cullen Yuhas Anger, 94, passed peacefully at her home in East Lyme May 13, 2022, surrounded by many members of her loving family and supported in prayer by a host of many wonderful friends.

Beloved wife of the late Laurence E. Yuhas Sr. and late Paul F. Anger; cherished mother of the late Sgt. Laurence E. Yuhas Jr., USMC, Mary is survived by her loving children, Anita Yuhas Postoak, Gregory Yuhas and Timothy Yuhas; granddaughters, Katie Postoak and Emily Postoak; many Cullen nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and a great-great-niece and nephew.

Born in New London, Aug. 21, 1927, Mary was the beloved daughter of the late Julia (Cray) Cullen and Bernard Valentine Cullen. She was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph Cray Cullen and John Bernard Cullen; as well as her late sister (in-law) Hilda (Feldman) Cullen. Mary attended St. Mary's School and Williams Memorial Institute in New London. In 1944, during World War II, Mary began her 18-year career as a telephone operator for Southern New England Telephone (SNET). At the age of 17, she was the youngest operator ever to work the Niantic switchboard. In1952, Mary received the "Voice with a Smile" Award for superior public service.

Family is and was everything to her. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Mathias Catholic Church, and her strong faith sustained her throughout her life. She loved her trips to Cape Cod, Maryland, Prince Edward Island, Nashville, Tenn., and New York City. She "loooved" her German shepherds. Music of all types and dancing were delights for her, as was keeping fit. Mary worked out at Yuhas Performance Training five days a week for years until COVID-19 descended upon our nation.

Mary was also a lifelong Colts football and Bruins hockey fan and enjoyed going to her sons' football, baseball and hockey games at East Lyme High School. She loved horse racing and her Kentucky Derby family party was an annual event complete with Derby hats and "betting." Her annual Christmas parties were legendary and took place in her beautifully decorated holiday home that was straight out of Currier & Ives.

All who know her will have wonderful memories of this amazing woman. With her quick wit, sense of humor, loving spirit, zest for life and smiling Irish eyes, Mary Cullen Yuhas Anger touched the hearts of so many people. "Semper Fi, Marine Mom, and Godspeed!"

Donations in her memory may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

A visitation for Mary will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. The funeral Mass will commence at 11 a.m. Wednesday May 18, at St. Agnes Church, Haigh Avenue, Niantic. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Jefferson Avenue, New London. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.