Colleen Ann Sullivan

Colleen Sullivan, age 75, currently residing in Austin, Texas, after 19 years as a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico died June 23 in her new home. Colleen was born in 1932 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Edna and Ralph Donnelly. She had one sibling, JR, who preceded her in death. Colleen was married to Captain John G. Sullivan, USN Retired, for 52 years. They met in 1950 as freshman college students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Colleen and John lived at many Navy duty stations throughout their married lives. Colleen had three children of her own, and was foster mother to her brother JR’s six children following his death and the death of his wife. Colleen spent the first 16 years of her married life as a Navy wife and stay-at-home mother, holding down the fort while her husband John served numerous tours of duty in Viet Nam. Colleen later began a career at Hawaiian Trust Company, and retired as a trust officer. Colleen and John retired to Santa Fe New Mexico in 1988 to enjoy the arts community, skiing, and glider flying. Colleen was involved in several charitable organizations, but was most passionate about her work against the abuse and neglect of children, and her work supporting the arts in New Mexico. John and Colleen had recently moved to Austin, Texas to be closer to their children. Colleen passed away peacefully after enjoying an evening of musical theater in downtown Austin with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Her death was not expected, but her life had been filled with love, friendship, and adventure. Colleen leaves behind her devoted husband John, three children: Kathleen, Bridget, and Patrick, six foster children: Joe, Anne, Maggie, Michael, Jim, and Kevin. Colleen had twenty grandchildren. Among those who will also miss her are two sisters-in-law, Jo Ann and Nancy, and one brother-in-law, Tom, and all of their children. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Navy Special Warfare Foundation that supports Navy widows and children. Donations can be made online at www.nswfoundation.org, or by phone at 757-363-7490. Her funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, Texas on June 28 at 10:00 AM. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com