Gretchen Sullivan

Gretchen (Smith) Sullivan, age 55, passed away peacefully in her Norfolk, Massachusetts home on Sunday, September 29, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, Massachusetts on December 26, 1963, she was the daughter of Paul L. and Katharine (Mullin) Smith.  She was raised in Newton Lower Falls and graduated from Newton North High School with the Class of 1981, where she was inducted into the National Honor Society.  Following her graduation, Gretchen continued her education at Boston College, graduating with the Class of 1985.

 

After graduating from BC, while working at Ernst & Young Accounting Firm, she married her beloved husband Gerard (Gerry) P. Sullivan, on October 1, 1988. In 1994, she and Gerry settled into their home in Norfolk, and Gretchen took an auditing position with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After welcoming her children, Brinley and Nate, Gretchen took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family.  As her children grew up, Gretchen returned to work, taking a position with the H. Olive Day Elementary School, working as a preschool teacher and a developmental math specialist. Gretchen was an advocate for education, and as such, she served as the past treasurer of the Norfolk Cooperative Pre School.

 

Gretchen was an avid runner throughout her life, and loved going to the beach with friends and family. At home, Gretchen enjoyed tending to her vegetable garden and loved spending time with her chocolate lab, Lucy.

 

Beloved wife of Gerard P. Sullivan.

Loving mother of Brinley Sullivan of Brighton and Nate Sullivan of San Jose, California.

Devoted daughter of Katharine M. (Mullin) Smith of Franklin and the late Paul L. Smith.

Cherished sister of Karen MacCormack of Cohasset and Hilary Smith of Millis.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Gretchen’s Life Celebration on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 4 to 8 PM and Friday, October 4, 2019 from 9 to 9:20 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Jude’s Church, 86 Main Street, Norfolk on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in the Norfolk Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Town of Norfolk (note: The Gretchen S. Sullivan Memorial Math Fund), c/o Business Office, 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA 02056.