Marlborough – Anneli K. McCulley (Uotila), 89, of Marlborough, MA, passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 26, 2022. Passionate and strong in her faith, Anneli was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend.
She was born in Lammi, Finland on October 13, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Arvo and Taini (Jokinen) Uotila.
A strong, independent, and adventurous woman, Anneli left Finland at the age of 19 to attend nursing school in Alton, England. Upon graduating, she embarked on a long nursing career that led her to work in England, Finland, Canada, Australia and the United States. Upon immigrating to the United States, Anneli married the love of her life, James McCulley, in 1967, and settled down in Marlborough, MA in 1969, where she remained for the last 53 years.
Anneli is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 33 years, James M. McCulley, who predeceased her in 2000, and her loving son William E. McCulley, who predeceased her in 2011.
Anneli is survived by her son Conrad McCulley of MA; son Matthew McCulley of GA, his wife Amy, and grandchildren Emma and William; daughter-in-law Eva Maria McCulley of TX, and grandchildren Paul, Joshua, and Andrew; stepdaughters Marvis Searle and Jodee Watkins; stepsons James McCulley Jr and Mark McCulley; four sisters, Ritva Karvonen, Sirkka Korhonen, Armi Lajunen, and Saara Nyyssonen; two brothers Vesa Uotila and Ari Uotila; sister-in-law Emma Jean Trader; and many nieces and nephews.
She is also predeceased by her older brother, Heimo, and younger sister, Riitta.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 5-8 P.M. at the Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main St., Marlborough, MA.
A funeral service and burial will be held at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Vienna, MD on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
