Dorothy Sullivan

Sullivan, Dorothy G.

(née Cole)

July 14, 1930 - August 8, 2020

It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to our wonderful Mom and Gomma, Dorothy Sullivan.  She passed peacefully on Saturday, August 8th, surrounded by her loving children Ronda, Duff and Kathryn at the Queensway Carleton Hospital at the age of 90.

Dorothy was beloved wife of the late Ronald Sullivan.  Loved mother of Ronda Vaillancourt (Guy), Charles “Duff” (Marla), Kathryn Snell (Jim) and Peter.  Beloved Gomma to 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren: Nicole Vaillancourt-Hass (John Hass), Danielle Vaillancourt (Sébastien Fortin), Kate Vaillancourt; Jared, Aaron and Shivahn Sullivan; Jennifer and Kristina Snell; Sadie and Patrick Sullivan and Aidan Hass and Léo Fortin.  Also fondly remembered by her daughter-in-law Shelley Sullivan.  The loving daughter of the late Charles and Ivy (née Horne) Cole.

Mom’s goal was to make it to 90 and we celebrated in style on July 14th with lots of flare, flowers, balloons and of course, cake and lobster tails for dinner.  She had tons of spark and all of her faculties right up until the end.  She loved laughing and sharing all of her idiosyncrasies that made her family and friends laugh and smile.

Mom was always passionate about Music and it filled her whole life from the time she was child until the final days in assisted living, where she would play hymns every Sunday for the residents.  She was an accomplished pianist and singer, went on to higher education at the Banff School of Fine Arts, later to become a teacher in the Cornwall and surrounding area.  She was the Organist and Choir Director for the St. John’s Presbyterian Church for 40+ years and sang in numerous choirs, travelling the world and hosting many prolific musicians throughout her life.  She instilled this incredible work ethic and passion to her children and grandchildren who all aspire to work hard and give back to their communities and the Arts communities to this day.

She had a love for all British travel, literature and television, and of course, a special affinity for her kitties.

She was married to Ronald Sullivan for 65 years until his passing in 2017.  She was a devoted wife and team mate to dad as he pursued many of his passions in education, theatre, higher education, the Arts and Church leadership, while raising 4 children.

You will be greatly missed mom, and are fondly remembered each day.  May you now rest in peace, free from the confines of your earthly body.  You are loved!

Private graveside service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers in Dorothy’s memory the family is requesting donations to one of her favourite charities: The Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Ottawa Mission or the Humane Society.