Catherine Mary Sullivan

Here is Mom’s obituary. I wonder what she would have written if she had written her own? She made my dad write his own. One day when he wasn’t feeling too well and was just at loose ends. She said “Why don’t you sit down and write your obituary? I don’t know what you want mentioned.” He did it and that’s what we used when he died eight years ago. I obviously did not learn enough from her since I didn’t ask her to do the same. She was a wise woman! Catherine Mary Sullivan died peacefully surrounded by family on September 18, 2017 at age 94. She was born September 17, 1923 to James and Mary (Driscoll) Callahan in Winchester, Massachusetts. “Kay” had a wonderful childhood with her older brothers, Jim and Arthur. She fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse in time to become a Navy Nurse during WWII, caring for prisoners of war, as well as wounded American soldiers. Following the war, she entered Boston College with the first group of women admitted to the former Jesuit men’s college to pursue a degree in Nursing. There she met and married Lawrence “Larry” Sullivan on August 12, 1950. During her early married years, Kay loved obstetrical nursing while Larry became a teacher and soon went on to become a principal. Kay and Larry were unable to conceive children, but lovingly and gratefully accepted the gift of four children who immediately became their own by adoption, Eileen McKenzie Sullivan (Bob), Larry Sullivan (Lilly), Judy Jorgenson (Peter), and Chris Sullivan. Kay would often say that the greatest gift she and Larry shared with their children was their Catholic faith in a loving and generous God. In 1966, the family moved to Alaska from Massachusetts for a job for Larry. Kay took the huge move in stride, loving the adventure. In Anchorage, she worked as a nurse in a variety of situations, a doctor’s office, Alaska Psychiatric Institute, and a youth detention center. They moved to Juneau in 1969, where Kay became a school nurse. They returned to Massachusetts in 1977, to care for aging relatives. When grandchildren began arriving, they moved to the Olympia area. Kay loved and cherished each of her seven grandchildren, Isaac, Jonathan and Noah McKenzie Sullivan; Mary and Catherine (Kate) Jorgenson; Riley Sullivan and Katie Franklin. Kay loved people, hearing their stories, and telling hers. Everyone who met Kay loved her, including her amazing care team in her final days at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Please leave memories of Catherine or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.