Louisa M. Pullen

Louisa Mary Pullen was a force of nature. She left us on June 23, 2016. Her strong will — and the devoted care of daughter Lesley Pullen and Dr. Christine Hernandez — helped Mom live 91 full years. Despite physical limitations, Mom managed to take in an El Paso Chihuahuas game on June 10, and enjoyed the El Paso Symphony’s Beethoven program on April 30. Mom, Granny, Louise, as we knew her, was kind, blunt, generous, opinionated, loving, blustery, devoted. And one of a kind. Born May 4, 1925 in London, England, she survived the Nazi bombing Blitz of London, picked up a smoking habit (which she quit cold turkey years later), and fell in love with Sydney Pullen, a B-17 navigator stationed in England. Bravely, she left her family for a new life in America, marrying Sydney on March 15, 1947 in Royal Oak, Michigan. She proudly became a U.S. citizen three years later. They raised five children and led an itinerant military life, which brought them to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas in 1959. Dad retired and became a teacher. Mom ran the house and worked for the White House department store, the El Paso Independent School District and the El Paso Diabetes Association. She had a long history of volunteerism, including with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Guild and editing the Society for Military Widows newsletter. She was preceded in death by husband Sydney Pullen, eldest son Michael Pullen, brother Harry George, and parents Michael and Eliza George. She is survived by sons Mark (Joy Goodsell) of Darlington, S.C., Matt, and Doug (Rosemary Flores), daughter Lesley (Tomas Leyva), all of El Paso; daughter-in-law Millie Pullen of Kent, Washington; sister-in-law Josie George of Bognor Regis, England; grandchildren Tom Pullen of Austin, Dan Pullen of Kent, Washington, Keith Pullen of El Paso, Sydney Pullen of Tucson, and Eli Leyva of El Paso; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in England.The family would like to thank Dr. Christine Hernandez and her staff for all of their care and support over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the El Paso Sympony Orchestra and the Society of Military Widows. Memorial Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 11:45 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina with a Funeral Service at 11:45 am. Committal Service to follow at 1:00 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Service under the direction of HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME 1060 Carolina 598-3332.