ALTAMONT — A deeply religious woman and mother of “seven little monsters” who taught her own children and many others with love and care, Edna Mary Murtagh McCullen died on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.

“God called His ever-faithful servant home,” her family wrote in a tribute, stating she would be welcomed to Heaven by those in her family who had died before her.

“Her loving and devoted husband of 59 years, John ‘Jack’ and his ‘Beautiful Bride’ met in kindergarten, were classmates at the Miss Quinn School, dated in college, weathered Jack’s Navy enlistment, and married at St. Vincent’s Grotto on June 16, 1956,” they wrote. “Family was and is everything to this blessed union.

“The Murtagh girls loved games. Edna and her identical twin, Ann (Sister Mary Patricia, D.C.), pulled plenty of pranks. Younger sister, Peggy (Frank) Kelly, joined the fracas.

“Edna made any excuse for a party and every family gathering became one. If she could throw a party today, she would invite her treasured helpmates: Jen Hale and Debbie Gottobed, special angels; Farther Paul Smith; Dr. Arenos; Dr. Fiorenza; retired Dr. Stephen Hillinger; Dr. Dudek and the Albany County Hospice; and would offer a seat to any ‘stray’ who happened along and needed a home. There was always ‘room for one more.’

“Giving comfort, especially to children, has always been at the center of Edna’s heart. She applied her education at the Academy of the Holy Names and The College of Saint Rose to teach fourth grade at Vincentian Grammar School.

“Always a teacher to her children, and once of school age themselves, she returned to her beloved profession as a religion teacher at Holy Names. She flicked on and off the classroom lights declaring, ‘I’m going to turn you on to God, girls!’

“Edna also dedicated herself to all things ‘children’ including fighting City Hall and Mayor Erastus Corning to get sidewalks on Krumkill Road for a safe walk to and from school.

“Edna lived a full spiritual life as a prayerful Legion of Mary member, communicant of St. Lucy’s and a prayer warrior in her ‘prayer chair’ where she said Mass and her catalog of daily prayers.”

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Edna Mary Murtagh McCullen is survived by six of her children, MaryAlice Senecal and her husband, Jeff; Ann Hess, Catherine Cassady and her husband, Doug; John McCullen; Joseph McCullen and his wife, Lori; and Edward McCullen.

She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, who, her family wrote, “cherish Nana’s sage advice woven into memorable stories”: Catherine (Dave), Jacqueline, AnnMarie, Ryan (Jodi), Jackson, Sean, Stefanie (Chris), Brooke, Kyle, Jared, Joshua, and Gabrielle.

“Edna’s great-grandchildren will learn of her accomplished embroidery skill, love of reading, excellent board game play, and marathon Uno games,” her family wrote.

Her daughter, Helen, died before her as did her parents, Mary (née Ahern) and Patrick Murtagh; her sister, Patricia; her Aunt Edna; and her in-laws Alice (née McEneny) and Joseph McCullen.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Lucy’s Church in Altamont, on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Arrangements are by the McVeigh’s Funeral Home. “The McCullen family welcomes your prayers and any “Edna” stories you may have on www.McveighFuneralHome.com,” the family wrote.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144 or the Altamont Public Library, 179 Main Street, Post Office Box 662, Altamont, NY 12009.