- By Herson Funeral Home.
- Obituaries
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Helen is the daughter of the late Francis and Anna Hayden. She was born in Rochester, New York where she graduated from Charlotte High School, Class of 1942. Mrs. Sullivan received nursing training at Rochester General Hospital, graduating in 1946. In 1948, she graduated from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where she received her degree in Public Health. Soon after this, she moved to the Ithaca area where she began her career as a Public Health Nurse. She followed this profession until she married Francis E. Sullivan and began to raise a family, eventually returning as a Registered Nurse and retiring from Lakeside Nursing Home.
In 1973 she received the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award for her many years of volunteerism, most notably with the American Red Cross and also as a member of the steering committee that founded the Ithaca Volunteer Center. She was a member and past president of Ithaca Women's Aglow.
She will be remembered for her elegant demeanor, giving spirit, positive attitude and encouraging words. Her smile and sense of humor, along with the twinkle in her eye will be greatly missed.
Survivors include six children, Eileen S. (John) Stanturf, Marc C. (Donna) Sullivan, Christine (Mike) Dropinski, Matthew (Cherie) Sullivan, Anita Sullivan, Francine Sullivan (Robert); six grandchildren, Colleen Stanturf, Erin (Sullivan) Emerson, Shannon (Sullivan) Flynn, Douglas, Scott and Nicholas Dropinski and five great-grandchildren; two sisters, F. Patricia Jacobs and Carol (Bill) Bishop; a sister-in-law, Shirley (Roy) Pinaire; and a wealth of nieces and nephews. Helen is predeceased by her husband, Francis E. Sullivan who died on January 20, 1992; a grandson, Jeremy Stanturf; a brother, Donald F. Hayden; two sisters, Anna Marie O'Brien and Margaret Mary Pollotta.
Friends and family may call from 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at All Saints Church in Lansing until time of 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. A luncheon will immediately follow the Mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family is especially appreciative of the services provided by Hospicare and gratefully request memorial donations to be made to Hospicare, 173 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or www.hospicare.org.