Josephine Agnes Sullivan

Josephine Agnes Wilburn Sullivan, was 86 years old at the time of her death. She passed away from this earth, on October 27, 2014. A woman of great faith has returned to her Father in Heaven. At the time of her passing she resided in Longwood, Florida. She died there from the consequences of Alzheimer’s. Josephine was born in Savannah, Georgia on September 10, 1928, the youngest of two daughters born to Allen S. Wilburn and Josephine A. Wilburn. The family moved to Miami, Florida in 1938. Her sister Louise Wilburn Jackson preceded her in death. Josephine graduated from Miami High, where she played clarinet in the marching band and was an honor student. She attended the University of Miami, was an Orange Bowl Princess, honor student and a member of Delta Zeta sorority. On August 2, 1948 she married Edward J. Sullivan, originally of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in Coral Gables, Florida at the Church of the Little Flower Catholic Church. The couple honeymooned in Havana, Cuba. After the honeymoon, the couple returned to Miami, Florida. Josephine worked for some time at the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and was an Executive Assistant. Upon starting a family, together the couple had five children, and Josephine became a fulltime homemaker. Raising a family was her true love, and her dedication to family was unconditional. Throughout her life as a mother of five, she was involved in many community activities, including President of the PTA, a Den Mother in the Cub Scouts and a leader in the Girl Scouts. As the children grew and her family responsibilities became less demanding, she accepted a position as Registrar at North Miami Senior High School until retirement. Upon retirement in 1986, Ed & Jo, as they were known, moved to Highlands, North Carolina where they resided for 25 years. As the family grew, she welcomed the grandchildren to their home for the summer. She delighted in spending time with them; organizing activities, games and watching them play and grow in her presence. While in Highlands Jo was an active member of Our Lady of the Mountains, where she served as the parish bookkeeper. She was an avid gardener and spent many joyful hours tending her plants. As her disease progressed, Ed and Jo left Highlands and then resided with and were cared for by her youngest child Kathleen, and her husband, Danny Hall. In death she is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Edward J. Sullivan. She is also survived by her children, Michael A. Sullivan, his spouse Colleen, Lawrence J. Sullivan, Patrick E. Sullivan, Peggy J. Zelenty, her spouse Steven and Kathleen Louise Hall and her spouse Daniel. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Steven Zelenty, Gregory Sullivan, Matthew Sullivan, Dawn Sullivan, Danielle Zelenty, Michael Sullivan, Amy McCartney, Kevin Sullivan, Daniel Hall, Christina Parkinson, Patrick Sullivan, John Sullivan, Caitlin Zelenty, Thomas Sullivan and Joseph Hall. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren. A funeral mass will be conducted at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Apopka FL, at 11:00am on November 3rd 2014. In tribute to Josephine, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 378 Centerpointe Circle, Suite 1280, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701 http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. May her soul rest in eternal peace