Sally Cullen Obituary

Janesville, WI - Sally M. Cullen, age 87, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 at Huntington Place in Janesville, WI.

She was born June 25, 1938 in New London, WI to Clarence and Agnes (Van Straten) Brownson. She was married to James Mackinnis and Timothy F. Cullen. Both marriages ended in divorce.

Sally graduated from Shiocton High School and went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree from UW-Oshkosh. She went on to do post-graduate studies at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. She also studied at the Institute Nationale de Sciences Appliquées in Lyon, France with Ohio State. She earned her Master's Degree at UW- Whitewater and earned highest scholastic honors at each of those institutions.

Sally began her teaching career at Horace Mann H.S. in North Fond Du Lac, WI. She moved to Janesville where she taught French and English at Craig High School. She then moved to Marshall Junior High School where she remained teaching French for the rest of her teaching career.

Sally was named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year in 1990, Disney Teacher of the Year, National Teacher's Award for Building Community Support by the National Textbook Association, Professeur distinque par les professeurs de Francais. She received a Fulbright Scholarship to Sierra Leone, Africa and consequently did numerous slide programs on her adventures. Sally served as the president of the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers and the Wisconsin Association of Teachers of French.

Sally's students earned numerous state awards-gold medals earned in the National French Exam and the state pronunciation contests. She hosted twenty student trips to France and other European countries and eight adult trips. Particular favorites were "Paris, Provence, and the Rivera" and "The Gardens of France".

She was a member of the community who loved to give back and lend a helping hand. She was a 50-year member of the American Association of University Women book club, as well as JAREA and Meals on Wheels. Sally was known for her beautiful gardens and was on the Rotary Gardens Show in 2000, and the garden was featured in Mid-West Living Magazine in 2001. She enjoyed reading, spending time with her friends and family and spreading the joys of education.

Sally is survived by her son Mark and daughter-in-law Elenore Mackinnis; her grandchildren, Brock and Connor Mackinnis; her siblings, Sandra Frechette, Kimberly WI, Bob Joe Brownson, Shiocton, WI, Mark Brownson, Taylor Falls, MN, Bernadette Borcher, Racine, WI and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Michele Mackinnis; and both of her former husbands.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials can be made in Sally's name to the Salvation Army of Janesville. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL DIRECTORS is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

Our family would like to thank the staff at Huntington Place and Bristol Hospice for their care and compassion.