Frances V. Culgan

Frances V. Culgan, age 96, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 14, 2023, at home in Kendal at Longwood  Retirement Community.  Born in Atlanta, GA, she was the daughter of Francis Van der Veer and Isabel Alexander Van der Veer. She was the wife of the late John McDonald Culgan with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. They met at a USO dance during the war and married in 1947 after she obtained her B.A. degree from Brenau College.

Frances spent the majority of her life in the North, having had  homes in Wilmington, Chadds Ford, and Kennett Square, but Atlanta and the South were never far from her heart. Grace and beauty defined her, and a hint of her charming southern accent was always present when she spoke. She was much admired for her kindness, love of nature, curiosity, and passion for life as well as her spirituality. She loved music and instilled that love in her children. She was a giver and spent many years doing volunteer work at hospitals, schools, and hospice. She always maintained a beautiful garden and likewise decorated her home with the things that she loved and enjoyed. She was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, PA, and for decades hosted regular small gatherings in her home for philosophical and spiritual discussions. Frances will be remembered by many friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched in such a wonderful way.

Frances is survived by her three children; Margaret Culgan of Dallas,TX, David Culgan of West Grove, PA, and Jeffrey Culgan and his wife Blanche Diane Stirrat of Oxford, PA. She is also survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her son John Van der Veer Culgan.

You are invited to a Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Frances at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 30^th at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 North Union Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.  A private interment will follow at at Birmingham-Lafayettte Cemetery.

You are also invited to a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 1^st in the auditorium at Kendal at Longwood, 1109 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances' name can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent https://abundant.co/adventks/give or the Kendal Resident Association https://kcc.kendal.org/about/support-us/ or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  To view Frances’ online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com