Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
THELA HUFFMAN Obituary
SULLIVAN HUFFMAN
July 8, 1957 – Aug. 16, 2024
With great sorrow, the family of Thela Marie Sullivan Huffman announces her passing on August 16, 2024 in La Jolla, CA due to complications from heart surgery. Born in Newport, Rhode Island on July 8, 1957, to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Sullivan and librarian Stephanie Sullivan, Thela grew up traveling the U.S. with her military family. Her grandfather was the late Rear Admiral Daniel Carlson, and her grandmother was accomplished author Natalie Savage Carlson, best known for her novel "The Family Under the Bridge." Thela later returned to Rhode Island and went on to earn her Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island. She eventually relocated to the Imperial Valley where she began her 41 year teaching career. From Calexico to Niland and eventually Bill E. Young, Thela took great pride in teaching and connecting with her students. Getting the opportunity to visit with past students and learning more about their accomplishments after graduation was a favorite pastime of Thela's.
Thela and her husband Paul were married on July 8, 1993 and enjoyed their many trips to Quartzite in their Jeep, raising their Rottweiler dogs, and spending time in Coronado, CA. Hawaii was a favorite summertime destination for Thela, and when not traveling she enjoyed collecting art, antique dolls, and tutoring students. Her kindness, friendship, and sense of humor will be greatly missed, and she will always be admired for his generosity and love of adventure.
Thela was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Stephanie Sullivan. She is survived by her husband Paul Huffman, Step-Daughters Nicole Huffman and Darcy Peterson (Brent), sister Laurie Bissett, brothers Robert and William Sullivan, niece Nina Peabody, nephews Colton and Brayden Peabody, cousin Anne-Marie Medina, and her 6 step-grandchildren.
There will be a private, family service at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Humane Society of the Imperial Valley.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for THELA HUFFMAN
Rowena
April 14, 2025
Thela was in my class in 7th and 8th grade. I will never forget her. Big smile for everyone. She made going to school fun!
Salma "sal" razo-verdugo
March 29, 2025
Today, March 29, I found out that my favorite teacher is no longer with us I'm deeply, deeply saddened and heartbroken that she passed away. Mrs.Sullivan was the best. the kindest and most funny and good-hearted teacher that I ever had. I'm so grateful I had the honor and pleasure of being her student. She was the biggest reason and motivation to read more, encouraging me every time she saw me. She was my biggest supporter in school. I will greatly miss her with all my heart, and she will forever remain there I'll never forget she had us write to ourselves back in eighth grade, and she would return the letters back to us when we graduated high school, and she made good of her promise I still have my letter she gave me. I will miss you so much, Mrs.Sullivan so so much and I'll never forget you gave me my nickname "Sal" and my deepest sympathy to her family she was a gift to all of us she will be forever loved, missed, and most of all remembered by her family at Calipatria she will forever be a hornet she will forever be a legend in my eyes... I'm going to miss you so much. Rest now, Mrs.Sullivan You more than earned it
Bill Morin
October 27, 2024
Awww!!! So sorry to see this!! I´ll remember you always!!! Prayers for you, Paul and the family!
Vanessa Garcia
October 26, 2024
Ms Sullivan was my middle school teacher more than 20 years ago and I´ve always remembered her, she was truly an amazing teacher who truly cared for her students. My condolences to her family. RIP Mrs Sullivan.
Katherine Hunter
October 25, 2024
I learned a lot from miss sullivan. She was one of my teachers for four years. She taught me so much. Her love for art was beautiful. She will be missed dearly.. RIP MISS SULLIVAN
Evangelist Anita Annette Hunter
October 24, 2024
On be half of the Bailey and Hunter family from Calipatria , California we extend our heart felt prayers of comfort to the family doing this rest in knowing that because of her love for education my sisters ,bothers and my children completed there education with high honors one thing they would always say I have and I must make Ms Sullivan proud with love Evangelist Anita Annette Hunter
Maritza Molina
October 24, 2024
Mrs.Sullivan cared for her students like no other teacher did. She would make jokes and try to make you feel welcomed in her class. She truly was the teacher that you would look forward to seeing. May she rest easy and my condolences to her friends and family.
Alejandra martinez
October 24, 2024
Ms.Sullivan was the best teacher I had in bill e young middle school she will truly be missed always kept updated with us her students and was the best teacher rip Mrs.Sullivan u will always be in my heart
Connie Garcia
October 24, 2024
Ms Sullivan was an awesome teacher who cared for her students, she will be missed. Great lady, always will be remembered. R.I.P
Jonequa Ingram
October 24, 2024
Wow this is extremely sad for me she was an amazing teacher I loved her she gave me hope for my future and she was very kind and caring and funny I tried to make her laugh randomly throughout my school year with her and she was my favorite teacher I remember one time I was crying over my grandmother passing outside her classroom and she hugged me and said it was going be okay since then she´s always my favorite person till it was time to turn my homework in haha . I´m going to miss you .
Anna Quiroz
October 24, 2024
RIP Mrs.Sullivan you were one of my favorite teachers I will never forget you and your love for teaching and making sure your students were okay you always knew when there was something wrong with us you would pull us to the side and ask if everything was okay you will be truly missed
Mia Gaona
October 24, 2024
She was one of a kind. One of the greatest teachers I have ever come across. She had such a great impact on every student she came across. She will never ever be forgotten. My condolences to her loved ones. Rest easy Mrs.Sullivan
Sarah Matthews (Parrish)
October 24, 2024
Hello, thank you Ms Sullivan for teaching many generations in my family and many others. You have touched many souls with your teachings, jokes, sympathy, and stories of teaching generations per student. Thought my siblings (3 of 4) and I, parents+significant other and their siblings (5+). Thank you for showing you for all of us and cheering in the background.
"You'll always remember who's their for you on a important day like graduation" Ms Sullivan said and it's true but guess what she was also their.
Since last time I've seen you I've moved to Oregon, bought a home (very lucky), got married on my grandmas birthday, slowly getting my family moved into Oregon, and am currently working on starting a career as a pharmacy tech.
It's been full of ups and downs but you have been a part of my life and I've respected and charished things you have mentioned, Thank You.
Jesse Solorzano
October 24, 2024
Mrs. Sullivan´s kind yet firm direction absolutely instilled the values in me that helped lay the foundation for the man i am today. I can remember her being especially attentive to my brother and i as we were the students who typically tried to skip around schoolwork. Mrs. Sullivan was there to faithfully guide us to stay on the right path. I am deeply saddened by the news of her passing. If i can be half the mentor to others as Mrs. Sullivan was to me i would be ecstatic.
Quinn Williams
October 24, 2024
She helped me through the toughest times during Bill E Young middle school and when I promoted to being a freshman in Calipatria High School I would visit her classroom after school just to catch up and talk about possibilities with pursing my education further. She was always helpful and supportive. She will be greatly missed and appreciated by me. She was a great teacher for anyone blessed to have her class. My deepest condolences to her husband and family. May she rest peacefully and gracefully. Thank you for the years of impact you´ve had on my adolescent years Mrs. Sullivan.
Laura Castillo
October 20, 2024
I"m so sorry to hear of her passing. She was my teacher in 7th grade in Calipatria. I had to be "homeschooled" due to illness. She would get my weekly packets ready from all my teachers and even went to my house to tutor me on some lessons where I needed help. She helped me get through 7th grade despite my illness. I was too young to say a proper thank you then, I know my mom was very grateful.
Linda Drain
October 19, 2024
For Thela immediate family i am very sorry for your loss.
Paul, Nicole, Joy, Seth and the rest of this family I am sincerely sorry for the loss of your wife, sister n law, mom, step mom, Aunt and anyone else that is related to her.
Taylor hamilton
October 17, 2024
she was my favorite teacher.! i loved her soo much i was such a bad kid growing up but everyday for two years i never missed an assignment. she used to tease me all the time about wearing pink and she was such an amazing person there are things she told me that have still stuck with me 20 years later. she always believed in me that made the bestest impact in my life. I´ll never forget her for that
but i do have one question.. did she really win a skateboarding contest? (context it was that game she used to play 2truths and a lie) the bell rang before she answered soo we never found out..
Taylor Salgado
October 16, 2024
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a truly remarkable woman, my childhood teacher, who inspired me in countless ways.
From the very first day she welcomed me into her classroom, she set an example of what it means to be a dedicated and loving educator.
Being from Niland and having to make the change to BYMS I arrived at this new school, timid and unsure, but she saw my potential. She hand-selected me to be a part of her special publications class, a gesture that gave me confidence and a sense of belonging. She had a way of noticing the little things, like the time I switched from glasses to contact lenses. She told me that "our eyes are the windows to our souls"-a saying that has stayed with me ever since
Years later, when I became a teacher myself at the very same middle school (BYMS), she welcomed me not only as her former student, but as her colleague. She opened her heart once again, sharing not only her wisdom but also her treasured teaching supplies, both of which I still hold dearly. Her support during those early years in my teaching career will never be forgotten.
She was a woman of strength, tough but gentle love, someone who saw the potential in every child, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. She spoke to them with honesty, compassion, and a sense of understanding that is rare in this world. Her impact on me and so many others will never be forgotten.
She made sure everyone knew how proud she was of them, and because of that, we all wanted to make her proud. That´s just the kind of teacher she was-someone who lifted us up, shaped our lives, and inspired us to become the best versions of ourselves, in her own "Ms. Sullivan" way. There are few like her-teachers who leave a lasting mark on everyone they meet. I will miss her deeply.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who were touched by her incredible spirit.
Davis Beauchamp
October 16, 2024
PAUL, so sorry for your great loss
Mary Mara-Ballesteros
October 16, 2024
Ms Sullivan was an amazing teacher and an even greater person. Every time I saw her she opened her arms wife for a hug and looked in my eyes with those deep staring eyes of hers, as if to see right through me, and always asked if I was ok, what was I doing and that I was alright. I will remember forever. May she rest in peace.
Zamarripa, Paul
October 16, 2024
My deepest condolences to her family. Ms. Sullivan was such a great teacher during my Jr. High years in Calexico. She was always fun to listen to, and was very attentive to all her students. The world lost a beautiful person.
R. K. Allen
October 15, 2024
First class lady all the way.
Kathy
October 15, 2024
Ms Sullivan was a great inspiration for several generations of families. She was my teacher and basketball coach in Niland. She taught both my sons at Bill Young Middle.
Always asking how they were doing after CHS.
I will miss running into to her at the hardware store with her husband.
She has touched so many lives while teaching, and she will be truly missed by many.
Willie Sexton Wilson
October 15, 2024
My Condolences A true inspiration, dedicated and had a personality I admired from a child into adulthood; may Jesus welcome her and tell her "Well Done" In life very many people make and impact in your and she truly made that impact in mine GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN R.I.H. You will not only be missed but you will live on in all of us this I am forever grateful that I had the honor of knowing you Prayers and Love to her family
Jennifer
October 15, 2024
My sister sent me the obituary today, October 15, and I´m saddened to find out Mrs Sullivan has passed. She was my sixth grade teacher two years in a row and also taught my seventh grade. She was an inspiration during hard times of my papa´s passing and was a delight to be around. Art and writing were wonderful lessons she happily helped me grow in while giving me the strength to keep persevering with many of my broken ankles. Thela will be missed and her fond memory will carry on.
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
Make a Donation
in THELA HUFFMAN's name
Memorial Events
for THELA HUFFMAN
How to support THELA's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor THELA HUFFMAN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
