Marie Suzanne (Cullen) Reed, 97, passed away March 8 at Concord Assisted Living in Galveston. Marie was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England on September 13, 1923. Her family emigrated to Queensland, Australia in 1927. When she was young, Marie attended school over a shortwave radio. She was trained and worked as a bookkeeper in Cairns. Marie served in World War II as a cryptographer with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1944.

Towards the end of the war, she married Edgar Reed, Jr., who was serving in Australia with the U.S. Army Air Force. As a career Air Force family, they moved to San Raphael, CA, San Antonio, TX, Tampa, FL, Denver, CO, Freckenham, England, Bangor, ME, Oklahoma City, OK, and Shreveport, LA. Marie became a U.S. citizen in 1951. After Edgar’s retirement in 1962, they lived in Salix, PA. In 1997, the couple moved to Galveston and were devoted members of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church (now Holy Family Parish). Marie often cooked for gatherings at the church’s Sand Dollars group. She loved to cook and made exceptional pies, and also enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, sewing, and spending time with family and dogs.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Annie Cullen, sister Jose Chappell, brother Christopher Cullen, and her husband Edgar. She is survived by three daughters, Suzanne Long (David) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Barbara Arévalo (Alfredo) of San Salvador, El Salvador, and Elizabeth Turner (Jim) of Galveston, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are pending with Malloy & Son Funeral Home. No services are planned at this time.

Marie’s family wishes to thank Judy Johnson and the staff of Concord Assisted Living.