Obituary: Theresa C. Sullivan, 89

Theresa C. Sullivan 89, of Newport, RI died Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at her home on Dean Avenue with family by her side.

Born in Newport on November 5, 1925, Theresa was the youngest of six children to the late Mary (Curran) Sullivan of Waterville, Ireland and Daniel J. Sullivan of Newport, RI.

Theresa was a lifelong residence of Newport and parishioner of St. Mary’s Church. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Grammar School and St. Catherine’s Academy class of 1945.

Theresa worked for the New England Tel and Tel Phone Company on Spring St. from 1946 through 1953. She worked at the Naval Supply Depot and Contracting Office from 1953 to her retirement in 1983.

Miss Sullivan volunteered for Meals on Wheels and also at the St. Clare Home. In her younger days Theresa was a member of the “Dynamite Dames” Basketball Team under Coach Father Carter from St. Mary’s School. She participated in a Bowling League with friends from the Newport Naval Base. Theresa also was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.

Theresa leaves two nieces Maureen Sullivan Wood (Mike) of Newport, RI and M. Eileen Sullivan of Middletown, RI. Two nephews Daniel J. Sullivan of Florida and Jeremiah D. Sullivan (Lisa) of Portsmouth, RI. Theresa also leaves Grandnieces, Lisa Sullivan Taylor (Phil) of VT., Kelly Sullivan Emrick (Mike) of MA., Meghan Sullivan Liefeld (Doug) of CO., Erin Sullivan Helie (Law) of NC., and Casey Jayne Sullivan (Cyril) of Paris, France. Theresa also leaves Grandnephews, Michael J. Wood (Kelly) of PA., Ryan T. Wood (Erin) and Patrick S. Wood (Jessica) all of Newport. She leaves Great Grandnieces, Ally, Parker, Belle, Cece and Mary. She also leaves Great Grandnephews Zack, Wes, Jacob and arriving soon Baby Boy Liefeld and Baby Emrick.

Additionally, Theresa leaves her childhood friend Rosaleen Nagle O’Sullivan.

She was sister to the late Mary Eileen Sullivan, Daniel Joseph Sullivan, Cecelia M. Sullivan, Theodora S. Towle and Retired Newport Police Chief Jeremiah Dennis Sullivan.

The Sullivan family is grateful to the daily care Sue Cassese and Lisa Sullivan provided Theresa throughout the years.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street, Newport at 10 am. Burial at St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown.

Visiting hours will be held prior to funeral mass from 8 – 9:30 am on Tuesday, May 26 in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Theresa C. Sullivan to the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 12 William St., P.O. Box 547, Newport, RI 02840.