Helen May Sullivan

Helen May (Gussie) Goschke Sullivan, loving wife, mother and devoted friend passed away at her home Tuesday, July 6, 2021. A long time Houston resident, Helen was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and grew up in Warren, Ohio. After graduating from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Helen attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and graduated with a degree in Arts and Education. Gussie’s very strong independent streak led her from Ohio to Boulder, Colorado to teach grade school. It was in Boulder that Helen met Neale Sullivan at a bridge game, they married in 1950. After briefly returning to Ohio, Helen and Neale moved to Houston with toddler daughter Shelley. That first summer with no air conditioning in Houston humidity was the catalyst for annual stays at the beach, Helen’s love for long shell collecting walks and, the albums of her pictures of sunsets on the water. Denny, Amy and Jay arrived in 1955, 1960 and 1962. Helen went on a mission to find the best home to raise her growing family in, and the best it was. The yard, trees, flowers and birds were a source of infinite joy for Helen through all of her days. Helen had an insatiable curiosity and passion for learning. She was a member of the Delphian Society, religiously attended her Point Counter Point meetings and, read every book her book club discussed, even those she didn’t particularly agree with. Helen valued critical thinking above all. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston was almost a second home for Helen. She was a volunteer Senior Docent and completely immersed herself in learning everything she could about all the exhibits. The natural teacher in Helen came out during her museum tours, her depth of knowledge and enthusiasm about the art work and artist made them come alive for her listeners. There are lifelong friends at the MFAH who will always remember Helen’s glowing kindness.

Possibly one of the deepest disappointments Helen experienced was the closure and sale of Park Place Lutheran Church in 2006. As an active member for 48 years, losing this church home was a blow for her.

Before his death Helen and Neale traveled to France, Ireland, Turkey and Greece, Helen’s favorite. In the last 21 years Helen’s most cherished travels were to family reunions in Ormand Beach, Florida and to week long yakathons with her sister Dotty in Greenville, South Carolina.

Predeceasing Helen, was her beloved husband Neale Sullivan, parents Charles and Margaret Goschke, Charles (Chuck) and Peggy Cassel, Ralph and Dotty Adams, W.D. and Margaret Sullivan, Robert and Ann Sullivan. In addition to Shelley, Denny, Amy, Jay and Zoe Sullivan, Helen is survived by niece Colleen Ann Sullivan Glashan and her husband Stephen, Nephew Neale D. Sullivan, Vickie Ball and Patty Sullivan.

The family would like to extend their special thanks and appreciation to the heroic staff at Memorial Hermann Trauma Center in the Houston Medical Center, Dr. Steven Warner and his staff at UTMB, the Memorial Hermann home wound care, physical therapy and nursing staff, City Ambulance, every single staff member of the Crossings in League City for their care, concern and support for Helen and the family during her stay, the entire staff at Faith Community Hospice for the kindness and compassion they gave to Helen and the family through the last days, Tiana Nelson for her devotion to Helen. Grateful thanks to longtime family friend Jimmie Jones for his unwavering support of the family.

Houston memorial services for Helen will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in Helen’s name would be welcomed by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Houston Symphony, the Menil, the Nature Conservancy, any association that is close to your heart.