Diane Cullen, sister, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many, died July 14, 2019 in the comfort of her home surrounded by love. Diane was born on July 9th 1948 daughter of the late Frederick and Sally (Bachman) Ainsworth. She grew up in Hackettstown where she was a cheerleader and worked at JJ Newberry’s. She graduated Hackettstown High School in 1966.
Diane was the wife of the late Jeffrey Francis Cullen. Jeff and Diane were high school sweethearts. Jeff joined the Navy after high school and they moved to San Diego , CA where they welcomed their first child Tammy Lee Cullen, born June 7th 1968. Tammy was born with Muscular Dystrophy and thus Diane devoted a lot of time, energy and love to care for her. Alone with a baby in California , while Jeff spent weeks away in training, Diane discovered her love of sports. One would think she would have chosen a California team, but Diane’s love for the Pittsburgh Steelers began the first time she watched Monday night football.
Diane and Jeff moved back to Hackettstown where they had their second child, John Robert Cullen, born August 25th 1970. Diane was a stay at home Mom for many years before she became an LPN at age 41. Diane’s first nursing job was at Dover General Hospital . When the children were grown Diane and Jeff ventured West, where they lived Kingman , AZ for many years. At age 57 Diane graduated from Mohave Community College and became a RN and worked at Kingman Regional Medical Center .
The years to come were hard on Diane. Her daughter Tammy passed away in 1999 at age 31. In 2010 Jeff passed away suddenly and that same year Diane was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Being the strong woman she was, Diane completed radiation therapy and was a Survivor.
Diane retired in January 2012 and moved back to New Jersey in August to live with her son John and his family. For the last 7 years Diane has filled her days with fun, laughter, and good times. One of Diane's hobbies was fantasy sports. She was part of 3 fantasy football leagues and 2 baseball leagues. Diane had a blast visiting Pittsburgh on many occasions to watch her Steelers. She also cheered on her Mets from the stands time to time. She loved watching Tiger Woods master his golf game and also enjoyed watching Rafael Nadal play tennis.
Diane was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in June 2019. Grateful for the life she lived, Diane decided to spend her last days cherishing time with family and friends. Diane leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.
Diane is survived by her loving son John R Cullen and his wife Suzanne and 3 grandchildren Savannah, Jakob and John, of Blairstown, NJ;
Brothers, Fred Ainsworth and wife Lorraine , of Buckhorn, PA; John Ainsworth and wife Felicia of Great Meadows, NJ; Sisters, Sally Hull and husband Carl, of Roseto, PA; Mary Cooper and husband Bob of Asbury , NJ ; Dear Friends Elizabeth Buwen, Maureen Skinner Smith, Annette Weekes Cantwell, and Carmela Allen; Beloved dogs, Lilly, Willow, and Keha.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown , NJ . Online condolences may be offered at cochranfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diane’s name to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org or Eleventh Hour Rescue at ehrdogs.org. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com/