Gwendoline M. McCullagh, 80

Bassett Hound Breeder & Judge ...

Aug 23, 1938 to Jan 5, 2019

Gwendoline Mary McCullagh (nee Murray) of Skillman died on January 5 after a long illness. She was 80 years old.

Gwen was born in Dublin, Ireland on August 23, 1938 to Rose (Mooney) and Vincent Murray. She graduated from University College Dublin / Mater School of Physiotherapy and earned a teaching certificate at Guy’s Hospital in London.

In 1962 she emigrated to America. On January 26, 1963 she married her lifelong partner, John F. (Jack) McCullagh. They lived in Newark, then Cranford, then in 1975 they moved to their long-held home in Skillman.

Gwen worked as a physical therapist, first at Newark Beth Israel Hospital, then the Medical Center of Princeton, and also the Medical Center of Ocean County. Even as she moved into executive roles, she kept clinical patients and was known as a tireless advocate for her patients and clinical staff.

She was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) from 1964 until her death, and served in many national and statewide offices. She was also a member of the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Gwen’s other passion was animals. She began showing and breeding Basset Hounds in 1973. For more than 40 years she travelled the country and the world showing, judging, and enjoying the company of other dog lovers, especially the Basset Hound and Border Terrier communities.

In her retirement Gwen was an enthusiastic amateur genealogist, researching and documenting her own as well as others.

Gwen is missed by her surviving family: her husband Jack of Skillman; her son Brendan (Kristin) of Salt Lake City; and her grandson Nicholas.