Obituaries

Patricia ‘Nuala’ Carey Fulton, 87

February 01, 2025

Patricia ‘Nuala'(née Carey) Fulton, 87, an Irish rebel, courageous immigrant, and beloved wife, mother, granny, and friend, passed away on February 1, 2025, at Luther Acres. Born in Dublin, Ireland to the late Bernard “Barney” and Mary “Molly” Carey, Nuala was a woman of deep faith and extraordinary resilience. She was married to the late Richard William Fulton for 41 years.

At the age of 17, Nuala immigrated by herself to the U.S. aboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1963. She lived in New York City, attending night school and working at Metropolitan Life and Banker’s Trust. Nuala later took her experience into management with the Burger King corporation and was known as “The Irish Motivator” for her exceptional work ethic and leadership skills.

Nuala sustained a lifelong commitment to community service, supporting various charities and serving in leadership roles with the Lancaster Welcome Wagon, La Leche League, and the resident council at her retirement community. She was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Columbia, and previously attended St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Lancaster, where she found spiritual fulfillment and lifelong friendships.

For over 50 years, Nuala played cards with a close-knit group of women friends, affectionately known as “The Bridge Group,” and will be remembered for her epic annual St. Patrick’s Day parties. She was an avid reader and loved Irish music, musical theater, and tastes of home—fish ‘n chips, brown bread, a strong cup of hot Irish tea, scones with butter and coarse-cut marmalade, and Cadbury chocolate.

Nuala is survived by her four children—Keara Fink (Lloyd), Deirdre BeVard (Warren), Maura Fulton (Douglas Rugh), and R. Sean Fulton (Lori Ehrlich)—and seven cherished grandchildren: Molly, Kelly, Aileen, Aidan, Liam, Eamonn, and Conall. She was preceded in death by her husband and her younger brother, Noel Carey.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Thomas C. Coyne, DO, for his exceptional care and compassion. Special thanks also to Sister Anna Cosgrave, a fellow Irish immigrant, for her spiritual support, and to the dedicated teams at Caring Hospice Services and Luthercare for their attentive and compassionate care during their mother’s final weeks.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA 17512 on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Services will be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/htparish. Interment will follow at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery in Lancaster, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Nuala’s memory to Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Saint Vincent dePaul Society).

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

February 13, 2025

To Nuala’s family, 
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to all of you on Nuala’s passing. I met Nuala at Leo’s Women’s group when we first moved to Lancaster in the late 60’s and became members of St. Leo’s.  Ironically, John and I live at Luther Acres and had I known she was a resident here I would’ve gone to visit her. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers and pray she is at eternal peace. 
John and Nancy Straw

February 10, 2025

Dear Fulton family,
     My condolences to your family. I have many thoughts of your family as your parents apartment dweller. It was the only place I ever lived before getting married.  Your mother was always so kind and thoughtful. When Molly was here it also was a treat to talk to her as well when I came home from work. St Patrick’s time was always a treat as she always had some Irish soda bread and corn beef /cabbage to share with me. It made me appreciate my scotch /Irish heritage as well. I always remember hearing the singing and music and laughter. I always feel so fortunate to have lived there. I have been thinking about something that I wanted to share and that is the first year I lived there your mom gave me a little Norfolk pine. It was near Christmas. It was the first plant I had and I wanted to give it special care.  Well when I left the apartment and moved to our home I continued its care and watched it grow.  It never got more than 4 foot tall in all these years. It was almost like a bonsai tree. Than about a year ago for whatever reason its  branches started to turn brown and dry up. I replanted it and tried to feed it but one by one it’s branches died and no new growth. I had been so proud of it that I had that tree for 32 years and I remember telling your mom that in a Christmas card. I lost that tree this past summer. I just couldn’t save it and felt so bad. So I don’t know but now that your mom is gone I think of that tree. I think of you all and thankful I had such an experience into my 30’s. Blessings to each one of you.       Linda Freels-Spotts. 

February 06, 2025

I so much wanted to be there but the weather in MI is very icy today. So my judgment says stay off the road. Nuala was a wonderful sister of n law and we thought of each other as sisters. We were marred the same year, had our first born the same year and lost our husbands the same year. She wa my strength and encouragement through everything. I will miss her being there for me. She actually called me on December 17 and I will cherish that phone call forever.
RaeJean Bowman

February 06, 2025

Sincere condolences to Maura and the Fulton family on the sad passing of Nuala .
Nuala is now up in heaven and filling Mollie in with all the news.That will take some time!
Best wishes to the Fulton family for the future.
Yours sincerely,Seán Curtin and Betty née McNaboe Curtin.

February 04, 2025

So many memories hard to think of just one. My mother was Richard Fulton’s sister.  My Aunt Nuala was generous and kind hearted.   She loved to laugh.  It was because of her and Molly (Granny), I wanted to be Irish.  I was so excited when I did a DNA test and I’m proud 18%.  lol.  I remember going to their house and was always welcome with open arms.  I was amazed how those kids could make her laugh.  Their house was like grand central station, busy with friends coming and going.  I just remember the happiness and warmth.   My cousins I love you with all my heart.  You all have the best of your mother and she will always be with you.  
Angela Musselman

February 04, 2025

Dearest Fulton Family,
I am so so sorry for your loss. Your mother Nuala was truly a wonderful and inspiring woman! I will always remember how much I looked forward to sleepovers at your home when we were kids where I was welcomed by your Mom’s Irish hospitality! She taught little me much about musical theater, Ireland, and how to have a good laugh! And, lest we all forget; your patient sainted Mother was an amazing boss to lazy and somewhat sullen teenage me at Burger King for about a year. She was SUCH an effective and efficient leader! And fun to work for!!
Stay strong and know how very loved you all were by such an incredible Mom… … 
                                           Love and Peace, 
                                       Meghan O’Donnell McLane 

February 04, 2025

I have very fond memories of our visits stateside to visit Aunt Nuala and our American cousins. A good Irish welcome always awaited! Memories I will cherish forever.
Tá tú inár gcuid smaointe agus paidreacha. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.
Damien Mc Loughlin

February 04, 2025

Dear Fulton family. Our deepest condolences at this time of loss of your beloved mother. Such an amazing tetimony of faith and leadership she has and no doubt has provide a legacy amongst you for generations to come. God Bless you in this time and may he provide you with the peace and his strength to celebrate her life and your times together. 
Ryan and Lynette Hansen

February 04, 2025

I didnt know Mrs. Fulton but I learned so much about her from Maura’s posts.  Great stories and as an Irish woman many I could identify with.  Dear Maura, dear Fulton family sending you good wishes and warm memories of a woman who clearly lived a long, fulfilling and extraordinary life.  Sincere sympathy Ger (Hatton) 

February 04, 2025

Nuala was a wonderful friend to my mother, Anna Lavenberg, when she first moved in at St. John Herr Estates cottages.  She gave my mother confidence to acclimate to her new surroundings and to meet new people. Nuala’s tender encouragement gave my mother comfort as she navigated her new community. Nuala was very kind to both of my parents, welcoming them to the St. John Herr community. My condolences to Nuala’s family…Stephanie Lavenberg

February 04, 2025

Sincere sympathy to nualas family. Nualas mother molly was mummy’s  bridesmaid.we always heard about nuala when we were young.i will offer mass for the repose of her soul. Des mcnaboe. Capuchin friar

February 03, 2025

Dear Fulton Family,
My sincerest condolences at the loss of Nuala. I have known her all my life, since 3 years of age. I loved when she would let her Irish brogue loose, which wasn’t often. One of my fondest memories was your grandma Molly’s wake. While it was a time of sorrow, what a party! Nuala even gave me Bushmill’s whiskey, 2 beautiful glasses and a handwritten recipe for Irish Coffee as a wedding gift. All of these are still in use 30 years later. I can also vividly picture our mothers playing Bridge.
While I am unable to be with you Friday, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Carolyn M (Reus) Kruza

Visitation
Friday, February 07, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
409 Cherry Street
Columbia, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Friday, February 07, 2025
11:00 AM
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
409 Cherry Street
Columbia, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our seven funeral homes in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Snyder Bean Funeral Home & Crematory Lebanon
  • 890 Isabel Dr.
  • 717-272-4634
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info