Connie K. Cullen

Connie Kay was born on November 1, 1941 in Lansing, MI. She lived with her parents Arthur and Maxine Judd and brother Larry growing up on a farm in Fowlerville, Michigan. She adored animals and would help around the farm raising Rat Terriers and could be seen strolling around with a lamb in her baby carriage. She attended a one room schoolhouse with all of the Judd siblings and cousins until she reached high school. While attending Fowlerville High School Connie was a member of the school's marching band playing the coronet. She also played on different sports teams including softball and basketball and was a big fan of football. She graduated in 1959.

Connie started her extensive and successful career at Citizen's Mutual Insurance Company in Howell, MI as an IBM key punch operator. While working at Citizen's, Connie's father passed away and she was looking for a fresh start out West. She and her mom moved out to California with a girlfriend, Linda Bennett. They moved to Inglewood, CA. and shared an apt while looking for work. Connie interviewed for a key punch position with Archibald Cullen at Control Data. However, she ended up taking another position with Hughes Aircraft. After spending time in California both she and her mom missed home and moved back to Michigan. It only took one winter to have them realize California wasn't too bad so Connie and her mom moved back out to Inglewood to start again. As fate would have it, Archibald Cullen had a key punch position available and Connie interviewed and this time took the job at Control Data. While working at Control Data, Connie was dating Norm the same time Archie was trying to ask Connie on a date. After a few times of being turned down, Archie jokingly asked Connie if her mom would be interested to go out with him to dinner. To his surprise Maxine said yes! They went out a couple of times before Connie then accepted his next date request. As they say the rest is history as Connie and Archie were married in October 1964. This year they would be celebrating 47 years of marriage. They moved to a home in Ladera Heights and blended their new family together along with Archie's children who Connie treated as her own. In February 1966 their daughter Tracie was born to complete their family. The Cullen's moved the family to Torrance in 1974 and lived in the South Bay over the next 30 years raising their family while Archie started a successful career in real estate. They also enjoyed time in the desert with residences in Palm Desert and most recently in Gold Canyon, AZ.

Connie started at William O'Neil Co in November 1965 after being hired by Tony Lumpkin as a key punch operator for daily trades. She was one of two people keying in the same trades to make sure there were no inaccuracies. When Mr. O'Neil started building the database Connie moved over to help that effort. She would travel to the UCLA library to research companies. This was the beginning of the WON Database and the Data Research Dept as we know them today. Connie relished in her role working to create and cultivate the daily operations. Connie was appointed to Manager of Data Research in 1985 and over the next four years promoted to Executive Vice President. She has been instrumental in developing and elevating Data Research from data input to an efficient analytical department working on many of the company's core projects and helping to develop new and innovative products.

Most importantly Connie has been a coach, mentor and friend to so many people who have worked with her helping to guide them. She watched as many of her "students" advanced in their careers, and she always rejoiced in the successes of others. Connie is genuine, what you see is what you get is a perfect description. She was tough on herself; always giving 100% in everything she tackled. She expected no less of her friends and associates. She readily shared her wisdom with countless numbers of people. She had a welcoming smile and an infectious laugh. However, that did not obscure Connie's intelligence and solid work ethic. She was dedicated and loyal, generous and kind. And her love for life and its little pleasures was with her until the end. One of Connie's favorite sayings "I didn't just fall off the turnip truck I was driving it" sums it up!.

Throughout her spiritual journey Connie attended The United Methodist Church in Fowerville, MI and recently attended Rolling Hills United Methodist Church as well as Gold Canyon United Methodist Church when in AZ.

Connie was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Judd. She is survived by her loving family, husband; Archibald, daughter; Tracie Cullen, and sister-in-law; Donna Judd.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275