Lourdes "Lily" (Culling) Rodulfo

Lourdes “Lily” (Culling) Rodulfo, a loving, selfless, kind, and generous woman, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by her family.  She is now reunited with her husband, Ernesto Rodulfo, who predeceased her in 2005.

Born on February 11, 1939, in the Philippines, Lily was the fourth of nine children born to the late Aurelio and Toribia (Utanes) Culling. A trailblazer in her family, she became the first of her siblings to immigrate to the United States in 1965. With courage and determination, she built a life in a new country and encouraged her brothers and sisters to follow in her footsteps, helping pave the way for their journeys.

Lily held her Filipino roots close to her heart. She was raised on the values of faith, charity, and a deep belief in the importance of education—principles that guided her throughout her life. These values inspired her to pursue a career in nursing, fulfilling her dream of caring for and healing others. After earning her Masters in Nursing from New York University, she, for nearly 30 years, served with dedication and compassion in the Intensive Care Units at the Newington and West Haven VA Medical Centers, where she cared for our nation’s veterans with skill, dignity, and kindness.

Outside of her work, Lily loved playing Mahjong with family and friends, often for hours or even days at a time, creating laughter-filled memories. She cherished being surrounded by her siblings, their children, and grandchildren, and she shared a particularly special bond with her great-nieces and nephews.

Lily also enjoyed watching UConn basketball and cheering on the Boston Celtics. She was talented at sewing, enjoyed watching tennis and golf, and found joy in watching game shows and classic films.

Above all, Lily will be remembered for her generous spirit, her quiet strength, and her deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she helped bring together, and the compassion she showed to everyone she met.

She is survived by her son, Ernest Anthony Rodulfo; her siblings, Juanita Battung, Aurelio Culling Jr. and his wife, Choleng Socorro, Norma Mitchell and her husband Atty. Donald Mitchell, Milagros Nanez and her husband Enrique Nanez, Virginia Culling, Erlinda Pangilinan and her husband Dr. Danilo Pangilinan; and her sister-in-law Celia (Rosario) Culling.  She also leaves her nieces, Mariel Battung (Arnold de los Santos), Rachel Battung, Renee Culling (Jonas Paguio), Melisa Culling (Jon Wallace), Maria Illeana Nanez (the late Tobias Hussey), Karla Pangilinan (Daniel Popovic), Karelle Pangilinan (Joseph Russe); nephews: Dr. Samuel Battung (Sharon Ladia), Atty. Misael Battung (Roslyn Apita), Dr. Enoel Battung (Princess Manaois), Jeriel Battung (Leyette Torrero), Atty. Lowell Culling (Aucia M.), Julius Culling (Gemma Cura), Jayar Culling (Rachel Woolsey), Cesar Culling, Jr., and Michael Angelo Nanez; Great-nieces Alana Hussey (Chris Alterio), Peyton Hussey, Mia Russe, Bea Battung, Maryel Battung, Shamel Battung, Schiel Battung, Kayla Wallace, Krysten Wallace, and Kendall Wallace; Great-nephews: Grant Popovic, John Popovic, Lucas Russe, Eli Russe, Ethan Culling, Ryland Culling, Joseph de los Santos, Aaron Battung, Steven Battung, Luke Battung, Marco Battung, Jayren Paguio, and Duncan Paguio.  In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Asuncion Culling, her brother Cesar Culling, and brother-in-law Atty. Esteban Battung.

Family and friends may gather in celebration of Lily’s life on Friday May 1, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad St, Plainville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 94 Broad St, Plainville.  She will be laid to rest privately.  For online expressions of sympathy, please visit http://www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com

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