Josephine Lance Culnane

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Culnane, Josephine Lance 3/14/1919 - 1/5/2021 Teacher, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. In spite of the pandemic, Jo's family, was given the opportunity to join her for a final gathering. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren so we could chat, laugh, show appreciation, hug and kiss our beloved matriarch, DoDo. It was a blessed time. Tired and happy, she fell into a deep, comfortable sleep. She died in her sleep on January 5, 2021, she was 101. Jo was born in Minneapolis, graduated from Holy Angels and received her undergraduate & graduate degrees from the U of MN. She began her teaching career at Murdoch, MN HS. She moved to San Francisco during WWII to marry Ed Culnane. After the war, they returned to MN to begin their family. When Ed got a job selling M&M candies, they moved to Richfield. In 1949 they bought a house on 67th & Harriet, for its proximity to AHA. Their neighborhood was the social hub of their life and they raised their 4 children with the other families on the block. The neighbors were like family. St Peter's Church and School were a vital part of their lives and where their children attended grade school. Jo was a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at St. Peter's Church and School. In October of 1966 she was asked to be a substitute teacher, in the 8th grade, for one day. Mrs. Culnane remained teaching 8th grade for 46 school years before she eventually retired from Blessed Trinity School in May of 2013. She was beneficent, innovative and had high expectations for her students. She taught 8th grade English and Religion. Her English class included grammar, etymology, and writing. Her religion classes enabled her to share her faith. She began including a Religion Project in the curriculum, each student researching and then teaching classmates about other religions. To give her students the experience of being on stage, she directed a children's play for every graduating 8th grade class to perform. In every lesson, she included the importance of treating others with respect. She was recently asked what she taught and replied, "I taught loyalty, kindness, and love." Her 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren filled her with love, pride and joy. Her grandchildren were fortunate to have many years of her attention and love. She was an enthusiastic audience at their many school, sports and music events She was their coach, teacher, cheerleader, and playmate. She shared her love of music and language. She especially loved playing with them at the piano, home, Bob's park or anyplace their frolics lead them. She was indefatigable. She was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Ed; her daughter, Cathy; her parents and her 3 sisters: Betty Anne, Sister Mary Venarda (DeDe), & Yvonne. She was also greeted by other beloved relatives, neighbors, friends, teaching colleagues and former students. She will be missed by family & friends left behind on earth. She leaves 3 children and their families: M. Jo (Dick); Janice (Meri), their children, Anny (Kayla), Sarah Jo(James) & Rosa; Ed (Dori), their children, Lance (Mollyjean) and Jessica (Sean). Cathy's husband, Steve and their sons: Andrew (Francesca) & Evan. She also leaves her great-grandchildren: Amadea, Addison, Autumn Jo, Colletta Jo, Julia, Kai, Kamya, Keyon, Nova and Owen. (2 additional great-grandchildren will arrive in March & June of 2021). She also will be missed by her nieces, nephews, neighbors, students, friends, and caregivers who became extended family. The Wealshire Life Enrichment program, for the past few years, filled Jo's life with daily live music and joined the medical staff in providing loving care. In her final days, they provided headphones to listen to the Rosary being prayed. Mass of a Christian Burial 11a.m., Tuesday, 1/12/2021, The Church of St. Peter, 6730 Nicollet Ave. S., Richfield. The Mass will be live streamed, to provide safe viewing, facebook.com/events/778708269657130/ Visitation, 3-6 p.m., Monday, 1/11/2021 at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to the Life Enrichment Program at Wealshire of Bloomington, attn: Sheryl, 10601 Lyndale Ave So., Bloomington, MN 55420. Jo's memory will be honored by our continued learning and practice of loyalty, kindness and love. GILLBROTHERS.com Minneapolis, MN 612-861-6088

Published on January 10, 2021