Sullivan, Madeline Morrison

Madeline Morrison Sullivan, 88, of Iowa City, passed away Sept. 3, 2013, at Unity Point Hospice-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will be held Sept. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City.

Madeline was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Sullivan; her sister, Katherine (Ralph) Synnestvedt; and her brother, HG (Kitty) Morrison.

She is survived by her son, Mark Sabbann (Mary Kay Patrick) of Stillwater, Minn.; stepson, Jerry (Mary) Sullivan of Iowa City; stepdaughter, Sherry (Joe) Pugh of Iowa City; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; her brother, Jack W. (Sarah Viola) Morrison of Winter Park, Fla.; and nephew, Stuart Morrison of McLean, Va.

Madeline was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Peterson, Iowa, the youngest child of Herbert Grant and Ila Morrison. She graduated in 1941 from Peterson High School and in 1945 from Iowa State College, with a bachelor's degree in home economics and minors in art and interior design. Her art and interior design talents found their way to Hallmark Greeting Cards of Kansas City (design), Waverly Public Schools (art teacher), Marshall Fields of Chicago (comparison shopper), Homemakers Store, Cedar Rapids (interior design), The Whipple House of Iowa City (interior design) and self-employment in Iowa City (interior design consultant).

She was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, served on the board of the Johnson County Friends of Historic Preservation, participated in Arts Iowa City and Rose Hill Questers, served as a docent at the University of Iowa Museum of Art, and volunteered her time with numerous organizations in Iowa City. She was also a member of Friendship Force and as a world traveler, visited many locations in Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, South America and the British Isles. Madeline enjoyed experiencing other cultures and sharing her love of architecture, art, design, textiles and hand crafts. She enjoyed creating unique works of art in water color, painting, sculpture, paper and book making, fabric design and using non-traditional materials. Her creativity and vigor and enthusiasm for art and design touched many people.

In lieu of flowers, memorial designations include UnityPoint Hospice, University of Iowa Museum of Art or First United Methodist Church in Iowa City - stained glass window fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Sept. 7, 2013 in The Gazette