Jane Sullivan Toohy

Our beloved mother, Jane Sullivan Toohy, died on the 25th of May, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Jane was born in Worcester, Massachusetts where her parents, Grace and Francis Sullivan, raised Jane and her younger brother, Richard, in their happy family home on South Lenox Street.

After attending Classical High School in Worcester, Jane graduated from Wellesley College in 1956 with a B.A. in Spanish. Jane loved her time at Wellesley, where she made dear friends and thrived in college life. Shortly before graduation, Jane met her future husband, Peter Toohy, when he was at Harvard Business School. They married in 1958 and settled in Rye, New York, while Peter began his career at Shell Chemical Company in Manhattan.

As Peter’s career progressed, he, Jane, and their three daughters moved to a number of new homes over the years in Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas. Jane treated each move as a wonderful adventure, which helped the girls adjust quickly to their new schools and neighborhoods. Wherever they lived, Jane made fast friends and served as the family’s joyful anchor. Peter and Jane ultimately settled in Houston in 1972, where they both truly felt at home and treasured their lifelong friendships.

Jane and Peter always maintained strong ties with their families in the Northeast. Road trips to New York and Massachusetts were a summer ritual, and the family enjoyed extended family visits in Worcester and Cape Cod. Celebrations and gatherings with family and friends, both at home and away, were always a joy for Jane and Peter, and nurtured tight bonds with which our family is forever blessed.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Toohy; her parents, Grace and Francis Sullivan; and her brother, Richard Sullivan. She is survived by her daughters, Nora Brooks and her husband Richard; Kate English and her husband Dave; Sheila Berggren and her husband Dan; and her sister-in-law, Dianne Sullivan. In addition, Jane is survived by her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Emily English Leake, her husband Sean, and their children Henry and Charlie; Jack English; Carolyn Brooks Sosnovsky and her husband Daniel; Catherine Brooks Giuffre, her husband Dean, and their children Jack and Louisa; David Brooks; and Katie Berggren. Jane is also loved and remembered by her wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and, of course, her many friends. She was a bright light that will be dearly missed.

A Funeral Mass will be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 10th of June, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston, where Reverend Sean Horrigan will officiate. Immediately following the Mass, all are invited to join the family during a reception at The Briar Club, 2603 Timmons Lane.