Rose Marie Sullivan

Rose grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School and Durham Business College. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Cathedral where her deep love and concern for the Cathedral ignited a major renovation. In earlier years she worked tirelessly for the St. Mary's School building fund.

She made lifelong friends while working for the IRS and was a member of Wordmaster ITC, the Austin Civic Chorus, and volunteered for many organizations. She was a kind and generous soul, who spent her life in service to others. Rose was an excellent seamstress and loved sewing for family, friends, local organizations, and created beautiful blankets to comfort young patients at Dell Children's Hospital. After her retirement, she dedicated the next 22 years volunteering at the Mathews Elementary School library and hosted student field trips to "Mama Rose's" home kitchen to make crafts and bake holiday treats.

Rose lived for her family. Her door was always open, and she was never too tired or too busy for a visit. She could whip up a meal in minutes, and could always find room for one more. Friends of her children and grandchildren were always welcome at birthday and holiday celebrations.

She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Joseph M. Sullivan Sr. She is also survived by her 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. They include her son Mike, his family, Patrick, Katherine, her husband Miles Gurtler, Margaret, Emily and their mother, Nancy Newell-Becker, and Max, and his mother, Hilary Higdon; son Joe Jr., his wife Janet and their children, Matthew and Olivia; daughter Carol, her daughter Helen and her husband Matthew Sinclair and their children, Myles, Avalon, and Maureen; son Jake, his sons, Jarrett, Brian, and Clayton; daughter Mary, her son Noah, and his father Patrick Clemens; and son David, his wife Alicia and their children, Timmy, Richard, and Angeline. Rose is also survived by her deceased son's partner, Scott Hall and by many, many friends. Preceding her in death are her son, Tim Sullivan, daughter-in-law Paula Sullivan, and son-in-law Charles Taylor.

Rose brightened the lives of everyone she met, and she will be terribly missed by us all.

Services to celebrate Mama Rose will be held Sat. May 17 at Weed-Corley-Fish, 3125 N. Lamar. Visitation at 10:00 a.m., Memorial at 11:00 a.m., Reception to follow. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.