Kathleen Rose Sullivan

Kathleen Rose Sullivan, born January 11, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, died peacefully on June 7, 2024. "Kate," "Rosie," "Katie," "Mom," "Gigi," or just Kathleen, lived a life where her love, joy, and happiness were derived from and dedicated to family. Kate was born bountiful with gifts. She was beautiful, talented, smart, and had an innate sense of style, exemplified in decorating and looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She loved blindly, always seeing the good in her loved ones.

Before her marriage to Robert J. "Sully" Sullivan, Sr., on September 14, 1954, Kathleen's endearing love was dedicated to her parents, William J. "Dee" Dalton and Ann E. Dalton, along with her seven siblings. She was the first born, and as such, helped with the raising of her sister and six brothers, especially the younger ones. Other than supporting her Mom's efforts with the Dalton brood, at age seven, she worked as an apprentice in the family flower business, as security to check the boilers in the middle of the night, maintenance person, planting, weeding, replanting, delivering, and finally graduating to an extraordinary floral designer and wedding planner for Dalton's Flowers (while still doing everything else). In learning to be a florist, she discovered she was truly an artist. Her 'brides' throughout the years were her pride and joy, and she was still putting her artistic touches on weddings in 2022. The Dalton family home was adjacent to the flower shop at 8135 Santa Fe in Overland Park, Kansas.

Although Kathleen never attended college, she was an 'A' student throughout her grade school and high school years. In her senior year, she was a cheerleader and elected Homecoming Queen and Prom Queen.

Holidays were important events in the Dalton Family, with the biggest being the Fourth of July. Kate and her siblings would run a fireworks stand to earn extra money. The event itself was a spectacular array of color, food, and laughter at the Dalton house each year. Kathleen loved the holidays; every year of her life was a celebration of those holidays with as much family as possible surrounding her.

Once married to Sully, Kate began raising her own family, and her seven children would put a gleam in her eyes that never diminished. All her children were born at St. Mary's Hospital, and her coach was a nun who supported Kathleen through every birth. Kate was so sick while she was pregnant (which was actually with 10 children, 7 of which survived) but somehow every single day, every meal was prepared, lunches made, and a cake baked for daily desserts. She worked at home, at the flower shop, cooked, and power cleaned, in fact she secretly followed her kids around taking fingerprints off the walls. She adored entertaining and keeping up with her teenage siblings, their dates, and her and Sully's close friends.

Kate loved a reason to get dressed up and go out on the town. Through the years she always looked more beautiful, if that was even possible, while her family went through the ups and downs of growing up and life and always having her unwavering love and support. Most of Kate's children worked at the family business while growing up, and work it was, but she loved it when the kids were there with her. She said she could never have had a job where every one of her children could be there with her and learn the business or at least work hard at the business for a time.

Then suddenly, one of her favorite roles began, and it was another at which she excelled, that was as Grandmother. These children were the apples of her eye. She adored the grandchildren, doting on them and giving her unconditional love. Kathleen would have invented more holidays to provide more opportunities to see these special kids. She was always amazed at their gifts and was always their champion. And the grandchildren-in-laws were much loved by Kate, each one bringing their special gifts to the family.

Another blink of an eye and the great grandchildren started arriving, giving Kathleen another reason to celebrate their youth and her youthful exuberance. Christmas shopping was a focal point. For Kate, it was one of the most joyful events of the holiday seasons.

The last celebrations were this year celebrating Kate’s 90th birthday and Easter. Memories the family will cherish.

Kathleen was preceded in death by the love of her life, Sully Sr., who passed away last July. Theirs was a marriage that lasted 69 years. She leaves behind all seven of her children: Shawn Anne and her husband Mark Warner, Bob Jr. and his wife Sally, Erin, Mary Colleen, Maureen and her husband David Gascich, Pat and his wife Kari, and Mike and his wife Beth.

Ten grandchildren: Bill (Julie), Megan (Alex), Heather, Nicole, Brendan (Meggan), Alex, Kylie, Mikayla (Collin), Bailey, and Reagan; two step-grandchildren: Sarah and Mary Kate Kelly; four great-grandchildren: Lily, Wyatt, Ruby, and Maizy. A new arrival is expected in November of 2024, and Kate already had a welcoming plan for him.

Kathleen's funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 29 at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS. You are welcome to pay your respects to the Sullivan family beginning at 9:00 AM. A reception will be held immediately following Mass at the church. A Celebration of Kate's life is planned for September 14. We will sing and dance and play and remember the life of Kathleen - wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend to all - tireless and determined. She never stopped moving. More details regarding the Celebration of Life will be shared as plans are finalized.