Age 72 Of Saint Paul Born on Nov. 4, 1941, Ginny passed away on August 12 after a courageous two-year fight with cancer. Ginny will be dearly missed by her devoted husband of more than 50 years, Thomas; and children Thomas (Lucy) Sullivan, Seanne (Michael) Harris, Julie (Matthew) Brooks, Michael, Patrick, and Kerry (Christopher) LeClair, and beloved 18 grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary, siblings Mary Therese and Colette, and granddaughter Kaelyn. Survived by siblings Catherine (Roger) McGill, John, Jim, Gerard (Therese), Julie (Charles) Schultz and her loving nieces and nephews. Born in Chicago, IL, Ginny graduated from DePaul University and married Tom in 1962. They lived in Queens, NY for three years before moving to Saint Paul, settling in Nativity parish and the University of St. Thomas community where they established innumerable and enduring friendships. A servant of the Lord, Ginny taught 5th grade at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School for more than thirty years. An inspired teacher of Social Studies and Religion, her students frequently share their lifelong memories of reciting poems, prayers and the Preamble to the Constitution (Huzzah!). Endowing children with a fondness for some of our greatest treasures was her life's calling and she answered it lovingly. Till the very end, Ginny held fast the hand of the Lord as she rejoiced in the wonders of God's creation. Ginny's entire family extends a special thank you to Kate Wollan, Sandy Kane, and the teachers and staff at Nativity School, to Fr. Hipwell and Fr. Brinkman at Nativity Church, and to the entire Nativity community for their kindness and prayers. We also wish to thank the wonderful caregivers at the University of Minnesota, Fairview Home Hospice, and Pro Pharmacy for their treatment and guidance throughout her illness. Memorials preferred to Birthright of St. Paul, the Nativity School Scholarship fund, and the Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30am Saturday, August 16, Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, St. Paul. The family will greet friends immediately following the Mass. Private family interment.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press on Aug. 13, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia SULLIVAN

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

rosemary thuente

August 18, 2014

Ginny's funeral....What can we say? A VERY POWERFUL grace for all attending!! May we follow her example. "Heaven, don't miss it for the World."

Katie (Hayes) Elwood

August 18, 2014

Dear Kerry and the entire Sullivan family, I was deeply saddened to hear about your mother's passing. She was a wonderful teacher and clearly loved by so many. Wishing you strength and peace during this incredibly sad time. Know that she is always with you. Her love lives on.

Ubel family

August 17, 2014

All of our children had the good fortune to be in the loving, exuberant atmosphere of Ginny's room for 5th grade. Our condolences to the Sullivan family on your loss; she will forever live in the memories of so many people.

August 16, 2014

A fabulous person and wonderful teacher. She touched the lives of so many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Sullivan family.

The Zobels

Jerry Lou Hague

August 16, 2014

We are so sad that we can't be with you today.

Katie Sullivan Fritz

August 15, 2014

Sending love and prayers to you Seanne. So sorry for your loss. May the sweet memories bring you comfort.

Cathy Hennessy

August 14, 2014

Dear Tom and Family, My heart goes out to you at the loss of Ginny. I just loved her! Though we didn't see each other often, our lives intersected so beautifully. Ginny babysat my Noelle, while I taught 5th grade at Nativity. Never once did I walk into her home to pick up my daughter at the end of the day and not smell something wonderful cooking! When I quit to stay home with my second child 34 years ago, Ginny stepped effortlessly into my job, making it her own and never looking back. It was meant for her all along! I had the great joy of talking with her about a month ago and she reminded me that I left off on chapter three in the social studies book when she took over. Good grief! What a memory! She talked so happily and in detail about her students and some of the projects they did. I've been a teacher for 40 years but have never known another teacher like her. Ginny was a woman who treasured faith and family, the students she taught, and her many, many friends. She truly walked with one foot in this world and one in Heaven. Now she's walking with both feet in Heaven...(one with a shoe, one with a slipper). I will miss Ginny terribly, but will see her again. That's a promise she helped me believe. All my love, Cathy Crea Hennessy

Ann Mossey Sandberg

August 14, 2014

I loved teaching with Ginny at Nativity--I remember running into her about ten years after I left and she greeted me with a huge hug and smile. She had such a great sense of humor, too. Prayers for your family during this time of grieving!

Julie & Mike Gerend

August 14, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sullivan Family - special women with a huge heart, strong faith and had such a wonderful impact on so many!

Rick & Joyce Bartusch

August 14, 2014

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”

I remember the first time we met Ginny. It was meet the teacher night and she thanked us for trusting her to teach our daughter.
Ginny, we thank you for teaching our children. Please continue to pray for all of us.

Sister's

Cathy & Roger McGill

August 14, 2014

Virginia - we Loved you and will miss you dearly. You were the sparkle in the Lord's eye here on Earth. Love Always

Mary McHale

August 13, 2014

Seanne,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. God Bless.
Mary Kay (McHale) Clark '83

Thanos Zyngas

August 13, 2014

An incredible woman and a wonderful friend! I'll miss you dearly and I'll never forget all the laughs and conversations we had together in Rome. You were always a great support to me and a fun person to have around. Rest in peace!

Karen Sekevtich

August 13, 2014

Such an incredible woman! Ginny touched thousands of lives....not many of us can say that. I grew up knowing her as my mom's best friend and the mother to my brothers' best friends. I had the priviledge of working with her for 13 years at Nativity. What an honor it is for me and my family to have known Ginny. Our prayers and love are being sent to the entire Sullivan family. Heaven has gained another beautiful soul!

Jude Ryan Reiling

August 13, 2014

I will never forget you, Ginny. A warm and wonderful woman, a teacher with more energy than a whole choir of angels! Rest well.

Love and condolences to you all, especially Seanne and Kerry.

Matt McGuire

August 13, 2014

Mrs. Sullivan was a fantastic person. It was an honor and a privilege to know her and to have her as a teacher. Thoughts and prayers to her family.

Jeff Bovee

August 13, 2014

The Sullivans have been like a second family to me for as long as I've been conscious of what family is. For my first dozen years of life, I spent as much time at the Sullivan house as I spent at my own. Since then Ginny has been a part of my and now my family's life, and we have been incredibly blessed because of it. From that experience, I can say one thing with great certainty: St. Peter was ready with her express pass when she arrived.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Sullivan. You will be greatly missed.

Marta Ritten Melin

August 13, 2014

Seanne and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Peace to you during this difficult time.

Rosemary Thuente

August 13, 2014

We will surely miss our dear Ginny! We are confident her examples of virtue will remain treasured, multiplied in all whose lives she touched. She taught us to TRUST God, that He can bring good from even the most difficult situations; be it a child struggling along in school or major challenges in our world.
Her ability to laugh at herself; relating arriving at the Cathedral ordination of a dear friend in her "Sunday best",only to realize she had one good shoe and one slipper on. "Oh well, it will simply appear I had broken my foot, as I shuffle along." Correcting in love... making judgments without judging the person...Her Joy so expressed in her pictures. "A quality of a true saint is their ability to maintain their Joy even a midst great suffering." Our Love & Prayers,

Colleen Perfect

August 13, 2014

Dear Seanne,
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as your grieve the loss of your beloved mother, Ginny. She was a wonderful lady. May the angels and saints welcome her and may her soul rest in God's peace. Take care.

Molly, Chad, Grace & Bailey

August 13, 2014

Amazing woman, in every aspect of her life. Ginny touched each of our hearts in so many ways. She is a beautiful soul that will never be forgotten. Peace.

Dan Flanagan

August 13, 2014

Sullivan family, God Bless you all! Thanks for everything over the years Ginny, see you on down the road...

Sue Johnson

August 13, 2014

A faithful and faith-filled woman, a champion for life, and an amazing example for us all. She will be greatly missed. Sullivan family, thank you for sharing her with all of us. You fought the good fight, you have won the race. Rest in eternal peace, Ginny. Many prayers for the entire family at this tender time.

August 13, 2014

Mrs. Sullivan touched our family deeply. She was a living model of faith in action, grace and beauty. We are thankful for the gifts she gave our kids as a teacher and as a friend. We wish peace and comfort for her family and all who loved her.
~ Erich, Mary-Helen, Owen and Maisie Mische

Lori Koneczny

August 13, 2014

Kerry and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time. God is taking care of her now. She will always be in your heart and watching over you like a mother always does. Lori -UST

Lisa

August 13, 2014

She is a beautiful model of motherhood whom I will dearly miss and never forget.

Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results