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Kathleen Sullivan
KATHLEEN SULLIVAN
Cedar Rapids
Kathleen Alice Sullivan,
78, of Cedar Rapids, died of cancer in her home Feb. 16, 2017. She has donated her body to science through the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa. Memorial Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services.
Survivors include three brothers, all of Cedar Rapids Mike and wife, Gretchen, Paul and wife, Marie, and Dan and wife, Kay; brother-in-law, Bill Jurgensen; 22 nieces and nephews; 64 grandnieces and grandnephews; 10 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; her good friend of 55 years, Roseann Wiley Hayek and husband, Bernie; members of the John G. and Janie Wiley family; and many cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Wilma (LaDage) Sullivan; sister, Mary Jurgensen; and niece, Julie Jurgensen Yoder.
Kathleen was born Sept. 8, 1938, in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Cedar Rapids in 1956 and from Mount Mercy College in 1960. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1960. As Sister Paul Marie, she both taught at and was principal of a number of grade schools. She later served as dean of students at Mount Mercy College. Kathleen participated in graduate studies at St. Louis University, Marquette University and the University of Iowa. Later, as a lay woman, she opened kindergarten programs at both St. Patrick and St. Pius schools. Throughout her teaching career (1976-2008) she taught over 1,000 kindergartners.
After retiring from teaching in 2008, she served as a library associate for seven years at St. Pius School. Most recently, she taught religious education to kindergartners and first graders at St. Ludmila through 2016.
She was a humble, caring, prayerful person who lived a simple life for God. Kathleen taught us how to live and how to die. We have been forever changed by her, and we will always be grateful.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Ludmila Church, St. Pius School or Hospice of Mercy.
Please share your support and memories with Kathleen's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
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