Obituary for Dolores Sullivan
Dolores Ann Ellison Sullivan was born in Detroit, Michigan to Arthur and Hedwig Ellison on June 27, 1936 and passed away on August 20, 2020. Raised in a bounty of cultural influence, Dolores understood and spoke Polish, Portuguese, and a bit of French. Her family were devout Catholics, and she and her siblings attended Catholic schools throughout their education. Dolores graduated from Dominican High School in 1954.
Dolores relocated to Texas in the 60’s and attended the University of Houston. Later, meeting her husband of 52 years, Leo Sullivan, while working in advertising and the two built a life and a family in Houston. Dolores was a homemaker, while her children were young, and as they aged, she returned to the workforce. In the years following, Dolores assisted a freelance writer in Houston, owned a temporary employment business in Brenham, held the position of executive assistant to the President for the Greater Austin- San Antonio Corridor Council in San Marcos, and in 2007, retired from her position of Special Events Coordinator with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, where she excelled at planning and executing events and enjoyed building relationships with local business leaders.
Dolores valued the power of words, both spoken and written, and was adept at turning a phrase. In retirement, she utilized her inherent creativity and combined her love of animals with writing fiction short stories. Dolores formed invaluable friendships over her lifetime and gave selflessly to others. She was quick-witted and caring and appreciated small social engagements that involved ice cream, a nice glass of wine, a cold glass of unsweet tea, or a good meal.
Her life with Leo was happy and they created many wonderful memories together and with friends and family. Their love story was inspiring and enduring. Dolores was proud of her children and their personal and professional accomplishments, and regularly offered them words of wisdom. Dolores also adored her grandchildren and felt the world was a brighter place because of them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sister-Marilyn (Micqui) Ellison Miller, and brother- Donald Ellison.
She is survived by her husband- Leo Sullivan of Waco, son- Sean Sullivan and his wife Marilyn of Houston, daughter- Leigh Sullivan-Davis of Waco, niece- Dina Zemke of Indiana, and grandchildren- Chase Sullivan, Faith Davis, and Seth Davis, all of Waco. She is also survived by her extended family and friends in Texas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Dolores appreciated the unwavering love Leo showed her during her illness and will be remembered saying in these times of sadness, “This, too, shall pass.”
The family would like to extend their warm thanks to the staff of Senior Care of Hewitt, who cared for Dolores, during this challenging time. A Memorial Mass will be held for Dolores Sullivan at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School. Dolores was a wife, mom, and grandmother, but always our friend.
Dolores relocated to Texas in the 60’s and attended the University of Houston. Later, meeting her husband of 52 years, Leo Sullivan, while working in advertising and the two built a life and a family in Houston. Dolores was a homemaker, while her children were young, and as they aged, she returned to the workforce. In the years following, Dolores assisted a freelance writer in Houston, owned a temporary employment business in Brenham, held the position of executive assistant to the President for the Greater Austin- San Antonio Corridor Council in San Marcos, and in 2007, retired from her position of Special Events Coordinator with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, where she excelled at planning and executing events and enjoyed building relationships with local business leaders.
Dolores valued the power of words, both spoken and written, and was adept at turning a phrase. In retirement, she utilized her inherent creativity and combined her love of animals with writing fiction short stories. Dolores formed invaluable friendships over her lifetime and gave selflessly to others. She was quick-witted and caring and appreciated small social engagements that involved ice cream, a nice glass of wine, a cold glass of unsweet tea, or a good meal.
Her life with Leo was happy and they created many wonderful memories together and with friends and family. Their love story was inspiring and enduring. Dolores was proud of her children and their personal and professional accomplishments, and regularly offered them words of wisdom. Dolores also adored her grandchildren and felt the world was a brighter place because of them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sister-Marilyn (Micqui) Ellison Miller, and brother- Donald Ellison.
She is survived by her husband- Leo Sullivan of Waco, son- Sean Sullivan and his wife Marilyn of Houston, daughter- Leigh Sullivan-Davis of Waco, niece- Dina Zemke of Indiana, and grandchildren- Chase Sullivan, Faith Davis, and Seth Davis, all of Waco. She is also survived by her extended family and friends in Texas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Dolores appreciated the unwavering love Leo showed her during her illness and will be remembered saying in these times of sadness, “This, too, shall pass.”
The family would like to extend their warm thanks to the staff of Senior Care of Hewitt, who cared for Dolores, during this challenging time. A Memorial Mass will be held for Dolores Sullivan at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School. Dolores was a wife, mom, and grandmother, but always our friend.