Marjorie Lee Cullen

Marjorie Lee Lowry Cullen departed this world on June 8, 2024 at the age of 97 in her apartment at Sunnyside Assisted Living the day following a rare visit from all four of her children at once.  Marjorie was born at home in Outlook on September 16, 1926 to John and Lois Lowry.   She attended Outlook Grade School through 8th grade graduation in 1940. She then attended Sunnyside High School, graduating in 1944. 

In 1940, Marjorie met Walter Cullen and quickly discovered that he was “the most interesting young man” at the Outlook Grange Hall where many from the area met for meetings and dancing. They were married on November 23, 1944 and moved into a little two-bedroom house on the family farm on Independence Road in Outlook.  In December 1953, they purchased a 40-acre farm on North Outlook and Hudson Roads. They had three boys; Ron, Steve and Dale, when they moved in. Their daughter Carol was born the following summer.  They raised row crops as well as having a few Holstein cows to milk. In the 1960’s, the cows were sold and the farm grew to over 100 acres with crops such as alfalfa, mint, asparagus, corn, beans, prunes and grapes. 

Marjorie was active in PTA, Grange, and Jr. Indeluck Club, but was happy to keep house and raise the kids. She worked right along-side Walter so they could attend as many of the kids’ and grandkids’ school, Boy Scout, FFA, 4-H and sports activities as possible.  She spent many hours every summer tending the swimming pool. She was seldom seen in it, but greatly enjoyed the kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews and friends having fun in it.

When Walter and Marjorie retired from farming, they became very active members at Mt Adams Golf Club in Toppenish.

Marjorie lived in Outlook within a 4-mile distance from the day she was born until April 2021 when she and her sister both moved to Sunnyside Assisted Living. Marjorie had a goal of living to be 100 years old, but a rapid decline in her health made that goal unattainable. When writing her life story, she said, “I not only had a happy life, but a lucky one. My two sons and all my nephews who were in the services came home in one piece.” Her luck continues with grandsons and great-grandsons returning home in one piece.

Marjorie is survived by: three sisters - Dorothy Cullen, Karleen Meyer and Donna (Jim) O’Conner; three sons – Ron Cullen, Steve (Myrna) Cullen and Dale (Kathy) Cullen; one daughter – Carol Cullen; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (by both lineage and marriage and all by heart).

She is preceded in death by her husband Walter Berry Cullen whom she stated was “the only guy for me”; her parents John and Lois Lowry, an infant sister Elizabeth Lowry, an infant brother Gerald Lowry; Blake Taylor; Bo, Zac and Zekiel Thomas.

A Graveside Service will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA.  There will be a lunch of sandwiches and cookies after the graveside service at 882 Maplegrove Road, Sunnyside WA. Go west on VanBelle from the cemetery. Turn left on Maplegrove. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice. Those wishing to sign Marjorie’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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