Sonoma Valley lost one of its most dedicated supporters of the grief stricken when Barbara Marie Cullen died on April 10. She was 54.
The cause of death was drowning, according to the Sonoma County Coroner’s office.
Cullen was well known around the Valley for her work from 2006 to 2014 with the WillMar Family Grief and Healing Center, where she served most recently as executive director. She also worked as a clinical art therapist for many years. From 1990 to ‘97, she was program director for North Bay Children’s Center.
Cullen was very active in the local community, including Sonoma Valley’s Kiwanis Club. Through the WillMar Center she created a program for grief outreach throughout the Valley in the public school system. At WillMar, she created a conduit between Hanna Boys Center and Valley of the Moon Children Center, offering their children a space at WillMar. According to her husband Michael, one of Barbara’s crowning achievements was coming up with the concept for the Trio of Hope, which brought together three wineries – Gloria Ferrer, Cline Cellars and Benziger – to support WillMar.
Cullen’s reach was far and she was called in often for her opinion or her help.
“Just after the travesty at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, she was contacted for her advice on setting up grief centers for children; we eventually visited Newtown and met with some of the people,” said Michael. “Anyone who knew her or worked with her would describe her style or approach as pure magic; she could bring light to the darkest at time. If there ever was a selfless person, she defined what that meant.”
Cullen had a master’s degree in psychology, with a specialization in art therapy, from Sonoma State University. She received a bachelor’s degree in teaching and early childhood and elementary education credentials from Lesley University and an associate’s degree in elementary education from Endicott College.
“Over the years Barbara helped countless children and their families up and down the Valley and beyond with their losses,” said Michael. “She had an amazing set of skills and talents, but it was in grief work where she truly shined. She had the rare gift of being able to bring hope and recovery in the toughest of circumstances to a family like no other could. Seeing her work with children was like witnessing true magic.”
A memorial service will be held in Cullen’s honor at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at in the healing and memories area that she helped to create at Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards at 23555 Highway 121 in Sonoma.
“Every year we would meet here in the healing and memories area of the vineyard to enjoy food and a special day with many of those families,” said Michael. “Since the creation of this beautiful place that overlooks the entire Valley, the vineyard has planted memorial fig trees for loved ones; Barbara will get one too.”
Barbara Cullen is survived by her husband Michael; her brother David Deubler of Rochester, New York; her sister Helen Deubler of Rochester; her brother Andy Deubler of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and her mother Dorothy Deubler of Rochester.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Valley of the Moon Children’s Home and the WillMar Center.
To attend the service, RSVP to michael@michaelcullendesign.com.
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