Obituary for Kathleen Sullivan
On December 22, 2020, Kathleen “Gig” (Lohman) Sullivan went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after 90 years on this earth. Kathleen was preceded in death by her daughter Colleen Sullivan-Lynch, her parents, Elinor (Cunningham) Moore, Charles Lohman, her stepfather, John Moore, her sisters, Alice and Betty and her brother, Chuck.
Kathleen was born July 29, 1930 and raised in Buffalo, New York. As a child, Kathleen was lovingly referred to as “Boots” by her beloved grandfather. Growing up Kathleen enjoyed sledding, musicals, and learning (she was a quick reader!). She held fond memories of tailgating in her mother’s Ford and having picnics. Some of her favorite times were, traveling to visit extended family and trips to Crystal Beach. Kathleen graduated from Nardin Academy High School. As a young woman, she worked as an executive secretary for a judge in Buffalo, NY. After meeting her husband, Joseph Sullivan, she moved to Connecticut where she continued to live a life that exemplified her faith, family, and hard work.
Kathleen Sullivan devoted herself to raising her three daughters. Staying home with them was her pride and joy; and ultimately where she began leaving her legacy. When she could, she furthered her education and had a career. She graduated from Asnuntuck Community College. She was an intake receptionist in the emergency room at Johnson Memorial Hospital and then went on to work for the State of Connecticut. She retired after her service in Human Resources for the Judicial Branch.
Although she faced many difficulties, Kathleen had an unwavering faith that the Lord was in control. She was a communicant of Saint Patrick’s Church for over sixty years. As a devout Catholic, the Crucifix and various statues were always a staple in her home. Kathleen was a part of the Holy Family prayer meetings. Her home was always filled with praise and worship music. She was also a Girl Scout leader, taught third grade CCD, worked with neighborhood services and participated in the Grandmothers raising Grandchildren group. She was always there to lend a helping hand, or ear, to family and strangers alike. Her kindness, love, and compassion seemed endless. Her generosity came from her heart.
Kathleen was blessed with long lasting friendships with Bea Christino and Blanche Guyette. “Aunt” Bea and Kathleen raised their families together and often spent times during the holiday with big Italian meals. Kathleen and Blanche met at the prayer meeting and continued to support each other in life and prayer. They could often be found talking for hours over the endless breadsticks and salad at the Olive Garden.
To know Kathleen as a grandmother, or great grandmother, was to know her joyful and silly sides. She would host sleepovers and trips to Friendly’s, which often meant a sundae instead of lunch. She loved to grocery shop, or meandering through Macy’s, Kohl’s and Target. She loved a good bargain! She could always be found scoping out the clearance candy the day after every holiday! Kathleen loved a good game of Skipbo and taught all of her grandchildren to play. She’d give you whiplash with her driving, and always claimed the corner piece of cake at celebrations. She treasured annual family trips in the fall to the Mohawk Trail and Gould’s Sugar House where she never missed the maple soft serve, or purchases to support their family business. Kathleen cherished any time with family, but especially the holidays.
The legacy of Kathleen Sullivan will live on through those who knew and loved her; those who survived her will carry her light on. Kathleen is survived by her daughters Kathie Sullivan-Parkes (Arthur) and Maureen LeBlanc (Henry), as well as her seven grandchildren: Denise (Mike) Avery, Becky (Jay) Mullis, Billy (Jess) Parkes, Joshua (Katie) Sullivan, Kasey Sullivan, Brittainey (Sergio) Molina, and Niko LeBlanc. She was blessed with 23 great grandchildren Kaylee, Rachel, Vinny, Brennen, Tyler, Austin, Samantha, Emily, Patrick, Joey, Isaiah, Jake, Leah, Caleb, Zachary, Mikaila, Hailee, Joseph, Maddison, Dante, Elena, Alexia, and Jasmine. She was over the moon to have known eight great-great grandchildren: Aiden, Christopher, Pyper, Vinny, Aubree, Kobe, Hendrix and Cairo.
Kathleen Sullivan would want to be remembered most for her love and devotion to the Lord, followed by her unconditional love for her family. May we all enter the New Year extending the sincere kindness and acceptance that Kathleen demonstrated throughout her 90 years with us.
The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Kyla and Mila who worked incredibly hard to help keep Kathleen connected to her family during these difficult times.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 9:30am at St. Patrick’s Church, 64 Pearl Street followed by burial in St. Patrick’s King Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to the Enfield Food Shelf, 786 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082.
Kathleen was born July 29, 1930 and raised in Buffalo, New York. As a child, Kathleen was lovingly referred to as “Boots” by her beloved grandfather. Growing up Kathleen enjoyed sledding, musicals, and learning (she was a quick reader!). She held fond memories of tailgating in her mother’s Ford and having picnics. Some of her favorite times were, traveling to visit extended family and trips to Crystal Beach. Kathleen graduated from Nardin Academy High School. As a young woman, she worked as an executive secretary for a judge in Buffalo, NY. After meeting her husband, Joseph Sullivan, she moved to Connecticut where she continued to live a life that exemplified her faith, family, and hard work.
Kathleen Sullivan devoted herself to raising her three daughters. Staying home with them was her pride and joy; and ultimately where she began leaving her legacy. When she could, she furthered her education and had a career. She graduated from Asnuntuck Community College. She was an intake receptionist in the emergency room at Johnson Memorial Hospital and then went on to work for the State of Connecticut. She retired after her service in Human Resources for the Judicial Branch.
Although she faced many difficulties, Kathleen had an unwavering faith that the Lord was in control. She was a communicant of Saint Patrick’s Church for over sixty years. As a devout Catholic, the Crucifix and various statues were always a staple in her home. Kathleen was a part of the Holy Family prayer meetings. Her home was always filled with praise and worship music. She was also a Girl Scout leader, taught third grade CCD, worked with neighborhood services and participated in the Grandmothers raising Grandchildren group. She was always there to lend a helping hand, or ear, to family and strangers alike. Her kindness, love, and compassion seemed endless. Her generosity came from her heart.
Kathleen was blessed with long lasting friendships with Bea Christino and Blanche Guyette. “Aunt” Bea and Kathleen raised their families together and often spent times during the holiday with big Italian meals. Kathleen and Blanche met at the prayer meeting and continued to support each other in life and prayer. They could often be found talking for hours over the endless breadsticks and salad at the Olive Garden.
To know Kathleen as a grandmother, or great grandmother, was to know her joyful and silly sides. She would host sleepovers and trips to Friendly’s, which often meant a sundae instead of lunch. She loved to grocery shop, or meandering through Macy’s, Kohl’s and Target. She loved a good bargain! She could always be found scoping out the clearance candy the day after every holiday! Kathleen loved a good game of Skipbo and taught all of her grandchildren to play. She’d give you whiplash with her driving, and always claimed the corner piece of cake at celebrations. She treasured annual family trips in the fall to the Mohawk Trail and Gould’s Sugar House where she never missed the maple soft serve, or purchases to support their family business. Kathleen cherished any time with family, but especially the holidays.
The legacy of Kathleen Sullivan will live on through those who knew and loved her; those who survived her will carry her light on. Kathleen is survived by her daughters Kathie Sullivan-Parkes (Arthur) and Maureen LeBlanc (Henry), as well as her seven grandchildren: Denise (Mike) Avery, Becky (Jay) Mullis, Billy (Jess) Parkes, Joshua (Katie) Sullivan, Kasey Sullivan, Brittainey (Sergio) Molina, and Niko LeBlanc. She was blessed with 23 great grandchildren Kaylee, Rachel, Vinny, Brennen, Tyler, Austin, Samantha, Emily, Patrick, Joey, Isaiah, Jake, Leah, Caleb, Zachary, Mikaila, Hailee, Joseph, Maddison, Dante, Elena, Alexia, and Jasmine. She was over the moon to have known eight great-great grandchildren: Aiden, Christopher, Pyper, Vinny, Aubree, Kobe, Hendrix and Cairo.
Kathleen Sullivan would want to be remembered most for her love and devotion to the Lord, followed by her unconditional love for her family. May we all enter the New Year extending the sincere kindness and acceptance that Kathleen demonstrated throughout her 90 years with us.
The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Kyla and Mila who worked incredibly hard to help keep Kathleen connected to her family during these difficult times.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 9:30am at St. Patrick’s Church, 64 Pearl Street followed by burial in St. Patrick’s King Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to the Enfield Food Shelf, 786 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082.