Rita J. Sullivan

Her glamour and beauty of younger years persisted to the end. Her memorable personal qualities, dynamism and wit, were slowly reduced during six years of Alzheimer's. Her caregivers sorely missed the feisty and combative repartee of the first period of care. The entire period was a good one though for Rita, her caregivers and her son Dennis.

The lifelong Rita drove herself to be exquisitely presentable and full of positive spirits. She expected the same from others. Rita shouldered the responsibility of a single parent of two sons, including a long medical battle in which her younger son Michael succumbed in 1957.

In the 50's Rita's energy and enthusiasm fit well with the emerging activities in radio, television and advertising. She was a member of American Women in Radio & Television and served two terms as President from 1967-1969. She attended many National AWRT Conventions, including the 1970 Convention in London, England, where broadcasters from around the world attended. She also attended conventions in Miami, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York City, in addition to annual regional conferences.

In later years Rita moved into real estate and devoted her energy to fundraising that benefitted children and education.

She taught English on weekends to Spanish speaking children at St. Anne's School. She participated for many years in the school art scholarship program of the Houston Fat Stock Show and Rodeo.

She regularly volunteered at polling stations in her neighborhood.

She contributed to the success of the 2002 AWRT Gala that celebrated 50 years of AWRT. She also participated in the success of the 1975 Red White and Blue Gala and first fundraiser to benefit the internship/scholarship AWRT program. She was a leader and well loved in the broadcasting community and will be sadly missed by her group of best friends there, Les Femmes Speciales.

Rita Sullivan is survived by her brother Jack Treend, her son Dennis Sullivan, her six grandchildren Rita, Amanda, Michael, Thomas, Ricardo, Clara and four great grandchildren Michaela, Oliver, Sammy and Simon.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77098. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.