Anna Ruth (Abate) Sullivan's Obituary
Anna Ruth (Abate) Sullivan, age 97, of Methuen, formerly of Lawrence. Born in Winchester, MA on January 1, 1925, “Ma” passed peacefully into eternal rest on Thursday, December 15, 2022 surrounded by her family. Cherished widow of the late Thomas Augustine Sullivan. Co-founder of the award-winning T. A. Sullivan Insurance and Real Estate Agency of the Merrimack Valley in 1963, and esteemed legend in the Merrimack Valley business community. An active member of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Association of Realtors and actively volunteered and served on several Boards of many local charities.
Her most cherished role was that of mother and grandmother. Anna is survived by Thomas and his wife Elaine of Portsmouth, NH, The Honorable Michael J. Sullivan and his wife Kristyn of Lawrence, The Honorable Kevin J. Sullivan of Merrimac and Mary Ellen, and Mark D. Sullivan, Esq. and his wife Diane of Andover. Loving grandmother of Bridget Sullivan of Portsmouth, and her husband John Akar, Casey Sullivan of California, Michael Sullivan, Jr. of Lawrence, Jeana Donovan of Vermont and her husband Remington, Anna Sullivan of California and her partner Davyd Nereo, Timothy Sullivan of Haverhill and his wife Karen, Annie Sullivan of Merrimac, Samantha Sullivan of Andover and her partner Cameron Viger and Thomas A. Sullivan of Andover. Great Grandmother of Isaiah Donovan of Vermont, and Baby Sullivan of Newton, NH due in Spring 2023.
Daughter of the late Antonio and Antonia Abate and beloved sister, aunt and daughter-in-law. One of 10 children, Anna was a proud graduate of Lawrence High School Class of 1943 and the McIntosh School of Business. When so many young women were unable to graduate because they needed to work in the factories, Anna did both and cared for her siblings as well. Anna stressed that education and commitment to family and community are the crucial underpinnings to a successful life. She ensured that her four sons excelled in college with Tom achieving advanced degrees in insurance and Mark his Juris Doctor, as well as having Kevin and then Michael serving as Mayors of the Great City of Lawrence.
Anna met the love of her life, Tom, at Canobie Lake Park shortly after he returned from his Purple Heart awarded service in the Italian theater of World War II. Anna took care of both her and her husband’s mother while inventing the work from home model, as their insurance office was on the first floor of their home on South Union Street in Lawrence. The Sullivan home was a magnet for all of her boys’ friends, for whom Anna always had ample food to accommodate extra seats at their dinner table
A lifelong devoted Catholic, Anna relied upon her faith throughout many times in her life when tragedy struck, including the loss of teenage older brother, the loss of her husband at age 47 and the loss of her eight remaining brothers and sisters.
Anna will be remembered for her optimistic attitude, unparalleled work ethic and ability to pave new paths forward. She loved life, had a great sense of humor and boundless energy. She was a genius at throwing countless birthday parties and always choosing the perfect Christmas gifts. Her love and sacrifices for her sons and grandchildren were unbounded. She was most proud that her generosity of heart and kindness to others is being carried forward by them all. Anna was a ray of light to all whom she touched, including her many friends that she considered family. She met her best friend of 92 years, Ruth Moore of Lawrence, in kindergarten. Anna loved children above all and embraced her role as honorary Grammy to the Kryzanski and McGuire children.
The Sullivan family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate Anna’s life with visiting hours at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22nd at St. Patrick’s Church in Lawrence with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lawrence. Donations to the Lawrence Catholic Academy would be gratefully accepted: www.lawrencecatholicacademy.net . Great thanks to the compassionate caregivers of Methuen Village, Lawrence General Hospital, Beacon Hospice and Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Services in Lawrence. For directions or to share a memory on Anna's Legacy page, visit www.breenfuneralhome.com .
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