Inez Cullen

Waterford — Inez Catherine Horan Cullen, 89, of Waterford, passed March 8, 2024, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. The daughter of George and Inez (Clemente) Horan, she was born July 31, 1934, in Waterbury.

Inez graduated from U of Penn’s Dental Hygiene Program and worked for many years as a dental hygienist. She was a life-long member of the CT State Dental Hygienist Association and was a tester for the Northeast Regional Boards (NERBS). Throughout the 70s, ’80s and early ’90s, Inez, with her contemporaries, pioneered changes in Connecticut state legislation, which resulted in broadening the scope of services hygienists could perform, as well as enabled them to treat more patients that were in need. Many of her patients still ask about her.

She served on the Waterford School Board to ensure that education maintained a level of excellence and availability for all students. She was a fierce advocate for what she believed was right and for the greater good.

Inez is survived by her daughter Margaret (spouse Karen) of Atlantis, Fla.; son William (wife Donnette) of Oakdale; and daughter-in-law Suzanne Ammann of Oregon. She is also survived by three grandsons; one granddaughter; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband William Clark Cullen; sons, Patrick Michael Cullen and Kevin Charles Cullen; and brother Thomas C.

Horan.

Inez loved her family and was a true and loyal friend to many. Her children were her pride and joy and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “her little babies,” filled her with joy. Inez was passionate about learning and was an advocate for women’s rights and self-worth. She was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed tennis, bowling, kayaking with friends and golf. She would laugh and say that it didn’t lower her handicap any, but she was a proud member of the “Hole-in-One” club! To her, art and music were as essential as food and water, and she loved the theater. Traveling and meeting new people from different cultures excited her, and she always came home with fantastic stories.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Church, Niantic, at a date time to be announced. The family asks you to consider this in memory of Inez: Love your family, enjoy music and art, and don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and reach for the stars. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be to St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave., Niantic, CT 06357, the church her husband Bill help to build, the church they were married in, the church she loved.

Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to leave the family an online condolence.