Julia Ann Sullivan

Julia (Julie) Ann Monahan Sullivan born June 15, 1928, in New York City, died peacefully at the age of 95 on May 23, 2024. Julie was a beloved mother, cherished sister, doting grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Julie grew up in Manhattan in the Washington Heights neighborhood, with her mother, Anna and her three sisters, Mary, Rita, and Eileen, or as they are affectionally known “The Monahan Girls”

After graduating from high school, Julie went to work at the Cadwallader, Wickersham and Taft law firm, where she was promoted to a position coordinating the litigation calendar for the firm. During that time, she met a fledgling attorney, Richard (Dick) Joseph Sullivan. They were married on November 15, 1952. When Dick was offered an opportunity to work on a Congressional Committee, despite knowing no one and having no family in the area to help raise their growing family, Julie strongly encouraged Dick to take the position. During their 43 years of marriage, they raised seven children in Arlington and McLean.

Julie and Dick’s fifth child, Teresa (Terry) Marie died in November 1971, following an 18-month battle with cancer. During Terry’s treatment at Children’s Hospital in the District, Julie would meet and become friends with other parents of children with cancer. Her relationships with those parents led to the establishment of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF), whose mission was to provide support to families dealing with pediatric cancer and advocate for research funding. After running the foundation from the dining room table in her home, CCCF received funding from the American Cancer society and Julie became the first Executive Director. Julie was also a founding Board member and helped establish the Ronald McDonald House of Washington. D.C.

After her retirement, Julie’s favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her special Easter egg hunts at her home, her chicken and stuffing dinners and cards for every birthday.

Julie is survived by her six children Richard (Ann), Regina (Joseph), Joseph (Cindy), Patricia (Tom), Kimberly (Steve) and James. Nine grandchildren Matthew (Carrie), Elizabeth, Mariel, Isabel, Julia, Thomas, Jack, Carson, and Lauren; one greatgrandchild Virginia, And her two sisters Mary flannery, and Rita Quirk. She was proceeded in death by her mother Anna (Forde) Monahan, her husband, Richard Joseph Sullivan, her daughter Teresa Marie Sullivan, and her sister Eileen Patricia Monahan.

A celebration of life visitation for Julia will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. A mass of Christian burial will occur Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1315 35th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20007. An interment will occur Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions in Julie’s memory to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Stjude.org