Elizabeth Irene Pullen

Indialantic

Elizabeth Irene Snyder Pullen died peacefully in Melbourne, Florida, on June 17, 2011. Elizabeth was born in Thorp, Wisconsin, on September 6, 1921.

In 1923 her parents, Cecil and Irene Leonard Snyder, moved to L'anse, Michigan, where she spent her childhood. She graduated from L'anse High School as the valedictorian of her class in 1939.

She met her future husband, Leslie Warren Pullen, in 1941 while he was an engineering student at Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan. It was love at first sight. Leslie started a college radio program, and affectionately referred to Elizabeth as, "Blackie, my silent partner" to the listeners. They married on April 11, 1942.

Following graduation in June 1942, Leslie was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army and sent to the European theater, where he served in an engineering battalion during WW II. Following the war they moved to Hibbing, Minnesota, then to Holden, West Virginia, Lanesville, Indiana, Houston, Texas, Norwalk, Connecticut, and in 1958 settled in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she raised her family.

She is survived by seven children, James Pullen of Seattle, Washington, John Pullen of Oxford, Connecticut, Andrew Pullen, of White Mountain Lake, Arizona, Elizabeth Pullen, of Chicago, Illinois, Michael Pullen, of Easton, Maryland, Mary Jane Pullen of New Haven, Connecticut, and Thomas Pullen of Palm Bay, Florida. One son, Thomas John, is deceased.

In 1982, Elizabeth and Leslie moved to Indialantic, Florida, to their new home in the Mosswood community where they made many dear friends. They were known for their Christmas parties and summer picnics, Leslie being dubbed the honorary "Mayor of Mosswood".

Elizabeth was an avid reader and gardener, soft-spoken, quiet, thoughtful and especially warmhearted towards young children. Her love at first sight lasted throughout her happy marriage of nearly 70 years.

She was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and attended services regularly at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Indialantic, Florida.

Elizabeth will also be remembered by her 15 grandchildren, Timothy Pullen, Thomas Ebersole, Stephen Pullen, Michael Rees Pullen, Madeline Ebersole Chapman, Sarah Pullen, David Hutchinson Pullen, Susan Pullen, James McCarran Pullen, John Warren Ebersole, Jasmine Pullen, Lisa Ebersole, Isabella Pullen, Gabriel Pullen, and Abigail Pullen.

Elizabeth is survived by her brother, Jack Snyder of L'anse, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her older brother, Dale Snyder, who served in the peacetime army in the Philippines under Gen. MacArthur and received the Silver Star for gallantry in action during WW II. He was executed following his escape and recapture as a POW. Elizabeth was also preceded in death by her younger brother, Mark Snyder.

Elizabeth's life will be celebrated by a mass of Christian burial at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Indialantic, Florida on Monday, June 27th at 11:00 am. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The service will be followed by internment at Florida Memorial Gardens. Reception to follow entombment at River Rocks.

Memorial donations for Elizabeth may be made to the School Fund for the Holy Name Catholic Church, Indialantic, Florida, or to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Florida.