Obituary of Barbara Sullivan

Barbara A. Sullivan (nee Dougherty), 85, passed away peacefully April 20, 2015 at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center. Barbara was born on December 23, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of late Louis J and Christine Gibson Dougherty. She attended St. Agnes School in Rockville Centre, NY, Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY and St. Clare's School of Nursing. Barbara married her husband Don in 1955 and resided in Scotia, NY where they began their family together. In 1961, Barbara lost the love of her life to Leukemia leaving her to raise her 7 children alone, with the love of family, friends and her faith. Once her children were older, she resumed her nursing career at St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady, NY. She found her passion working on the maternity floor caring for women and their babies until her retirement in 1995. Over the years, family were reminded often of the wonderful impact she made on her patients. Frequently, Barbara would be out in the community and would be recognized years after retirement by women she cared for and doctors she worked with at St. Clare's with love and affection. Barbara was a devout parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and was a Eucharistic minister at Baptist Nursing Home, visiting residence at the nursing home as well as various members of the congregation in the community. Barbara was always willing to help in any way and was very giving and selfless. Barbara is remembered for her devotion to her family, her profound love for her children, grandchildren, great grandchild and her love of faith. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Donald F. Sullivan; her son Jeremiah L. Sullivan; brothers Louis J. Dougherty, Henry P. Dougherty and Sister Joan M. Smith. She is survived by her sons, Kevin F. (Cheryl) and Donald F. Sullivan; daughters Maureen A. Sullivan, Ann M. Taylor (James), Mary Patricia Diemer (Alan) and Christine I. Sullivan. Also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Alana, Sean and Cydney Sullivan, Nathan Taylor, Blake Bechler (Keenan), Kevin (Ciara) and Kathleen Diemer, Caitlin Sullivan, Griffin Sullivan, great-grandson Maxwell Sullivan Diemer; daughter-in-law Vicki Sullivan; sisters-in-law Joan and Millie Sullivan, Muffy and Liz Dougherty, as well as several nieces and nephews, her extraordinary friends including Rachel Winters, Ann Sheyon and her oldest and dearest friends Mary Edell and Lee Maher. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Kingsway Manor and Kingsway Arms Nursing Center for all their care and compassion. Barbara was blessed with wonderful nurses and caregivers. We want to personally thank Nancy, Marie, Davi, Patti, Rochelle and Cheryl from the Manor and Denise, Seeta, Shaheeda, Julienne, David, Lacey, Mackensie and Nick from the Nursing home among so many wonderful caregivers. We also want to thank Ann Marie, Elizabeth, Theresa and Louella for the special attention they provided to Barbara and the family. Relatives and friends are invited to call on the family from 5pm to 7pm Friday, April 24th at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., Glenville, NY. On Saturday, April 25th at 9 am, a Mass of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd., Glenville, NY. Interment will follow the Mass at Notre Dame-Visitation Cemetery, Victory Mills, NY. Memorial contributions in Barbara's name can be made to either The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Upstate New York/Vermont, 5 Computer Drive West, Suite 100, Albany, NY 12205 or Community Hospice of Schenectady, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205. glenvillefuneralhome.com