Abigail C. Cullen

DIXON – Abigail Claire Cullen, 3, of Dixon, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, from an extended illness of leukodystrophy.

Abby was born Aug. 5, 2009, in Rockford, the daughter of Daniel James and Lisa Marie (Knebel) Cullen. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon.

Abby is survived by her parents of Dixon; one sister, Alexandria “Ally” Cullen; maternal grandparents, Terry and Ron Hicks of Dixon and Ron Jr. and Terry Lilly of Rock Falls; paternal grandparents, Dan and Sue Pratt of Dixon and Steve Cullen of Stone Mountain, Ga; maternal great-grandparents, Lu Burke of Dixon and Karen and Jim Wetzell and Ron Lilly Sr., all of Rock Falls; paternal great-grandparents, Georgina Cullen and Bob McGlynn, both of Gratiot, Wis., and Donna Pratt and Otis Pratt, both of Dixon; her special godparents, Mary Lu Hicks and Tim (Andrea) Pratt; her loving nurses, Daina Zbinden and Sue Day; special aunt, Amy (Keith Milligan) Cullen; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Emily Beth Cullen; maternal great-grandfather, Ed Burke; paternal great grandparents, Homer and Sophia McMannes, James Cullen, and Roy and Mary Hicks; and one cousin, Andrew Tobin.

Even though Abby is up there playing in the clouds with her sister, Emily, we know we cannot hold her or bounce her on our knee, but have only to close our eyes to see her little face with long curly hair and big blue eyes. Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon, with the Rev. Bernie Sehr, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon.

A memorial has been established in Abigail’s name.

Visit www.prestonschillingfuneralhome.com to send condolences.