Alice Elvena Sullivan

Age - 98

Alice Elvena Sullivan, of Spokane, Washington, passed away August 17, 2015. Elvena was born in Rainer, Oregon on May 21, 1917 to Harry and Gladys Schaefer. She lived her early life in Westport, Oregon along the lower Columbia River. Her father was a harbormaster where many ships from around the world set port in their small town. Boating and water activities were second nature to Elvena. She also enjoyed playing tennis and basketball for Westport High School. Elvena received a scholarship to Linfield College and later graduated from Oregon State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and became a Registered Public Health Nurse. She was employed with Multnomah County Public Health. Her duties included visiting and caring for patients in remote and isolated locations. Elvena met her husband, Dr. David Sullivan, during this time. They married on June 8, 1940 in Portland, Oregon and remained married for seventy- three years. After David served in WWII, they moved to several different cities for David to continue his medical and surgery education. They settled in Spokane in 1949 where they raised seven children. She was an elegant hostess and gourmet cook. For many years, David and Elvena delighted in their travels to a variety of foreign countries and enjoyed learning about other cultures. Elvena is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Gladys Schaefer, her husband, Dr. David Sullivan, and son Daniel Sullivan. Louise Cowan (sister in Rainer, Oregon) survives her, and her children Tom (Sally), Michael (Venny), Tim (Bonnie), Kathleen Teegarden (Chuck), David, Mary (Alex Atacador), and grandchildren: Byron, Mark, Ezekiel, Sarah, Nicholas, Matt Britton, John, Meilani, and Mario, and great- grandchildren: Gannon and Liam.

A memorial service took place at Holy Cross Cemetery with the immediate family. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Riverview Care Center and Hospice of Spokane for their care, kindness, and compassion.