Nalda M. Sullivan

Nalda Mary Coplantz Sullivan passed peacefully from this world on February 28, 2011. She had fought gamely, which was her way, against a remorseless illness for many years. Now eternity. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Hillman Sullivan, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sons, Thomas Jr of Westcliffe, Colorado, John, of Monument, Colorado and Andrew, of Alpharetta, Georgia; four grandsons and a granddaughter. Her brother, John Coplantz lives in Gustine, California. Daughter Patti died in 2006.

Nalda was born in Marysville, California on June 11, 1923 to Ferman and Veronica. She was named after a noted movie actress of the era but modified her name eventually to Nalda. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in Grass Valley, California from third grade through high school graduation. She spoke frequently and fondly of her schoolmate friends Tat and Lorraine and of their relentless but gentle childhood competitions which bonded them for decades. After high school graduation, she was trained as a nurse. She married her husband in 1943 in Reno, Nevada.

The family eventually moved to DeKalb County, Georgia, where Nalda worked as a nurse and office manager for Dr. James King and Dr. David Hein of the Atlanta Medicine Group. A tireless worker, in her later years, she was employed at Handy Ace Hardware in Tucker, Georgia.

Nalda was an avid coin and stamp collector and had the most extensive private collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia in the state of Georgia. She was a great lover of music and passed her appreciation of thoughtful art to her children. Nalda was a member of and contributor to the DeKalb and Rockdale County Historical Societies.

Nalda was a woman of strong moral conviction and taught her children, more by deeds than words, the meaning of backbone and defending your moral principles. She was as patient as the ages and she inspired her children to many higher level educational degrees and awards of distinction. She was also tenderly affectionate, an emotional refuge when needed and a source of profound strength for family and friends.

Mortal eyes cannot see beyond the horizon she has now crossed. Her life’s lessons and memories, crisp as a mountain morning, will remain with us until our time.

God grant you the peace and happiness you have earned.

A memorial service at the family burial plot in Georgia is pending. At her request no flowers should be sent but cards may addressed to 225 Chinook Circle, Westcliffe, Colorado 81252.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.