Carol A. Sullivan

CHARLTON: Carol (Eident) Sullivan peacefully departed this world on January 29, 2025.
She was, and continues to be, cherished by her loving family and innumerable friends. Born in Somerville on the first day of summer in 1939, Carol was the fifth of seven children. Living in Worcester and then Auburn, in a three bedroom house, hers was a close knit family, filled with colorful recollections of shared beds, "borrowed" clothes, and struggles to access the bathroom and the phone. Surrounded by a loving extended family, Carol developed a lifelong love of playing cards, doing puzzles, gathering for meals, and sharing stories. When she was just 16 years old,
working as a grocery store cashier, Carol met 17 year old Gene Sullivan, who worked as her bagger. Gene was crazy about Carol right out of the gate, proposing to her after dating only three weeks but she made him wait to get married until Gene finished college in 1960.
Carol and Gene lived in Virginia and North Carolina while Gene served in the Marines for two years. The couple then moved briefly to Springfield before settling in East Longmeadow for the next 55 years. There they raised their two sons, Michael and Brian, and their daughter
Maryellen. In between frequent trips home to Worcester for Sunday dinners and holidays, Carol and Gene enjoyed working on house projects and Carol especially loved to garden. Family meant everything to Carol. She was always home when the school bus arrived. Dinner
was always at 5:30, when tales from school were mixed in with detailed stories about the people she had met in her A&P checkout line. (She must have had the slowest line in the store.) Carol and Gene adjusted their schedules so they could attend countless baseball, football,
basketball, and soccer games over the years, even forgoing vacation days at their Cape Cod rental to attend baseball playoff games. Carol was patient when her kids made poor choices and was always their champion to others.
Nobody spoiled their grandchildren like Grammy, and nothing made them happier than a trip to Grammy and Papa's, their second home. Cards (gambling may have been involved), tuna sandwiches, banana bread, trips to museums, sick days, water wiggle in the backyard, and
Florida and Cape vacations – Grammy knew how to create a good time. She was the glue that brought family together and her grandchildren cherish the many adventures they had together.
Carol loved meeting new people and also keeping connections with old friends. She shared deep connections with several friends for over 50 and even 70 years. She was naturally curious about people, so folks found her to be a great listener and a true friend. In 2021, Carol and
Gene made a new home at The Overlook in Charlton, with their spirited dog Charlie. Here Carol continued her passions for playing games, clothes shopping, going on outings, and enjoying friends, old and new.
Carol is predeceased by her husband Gene and daughter Maryellen. She leaves her sons Michael (Martha), Brian (Laurie), and grandchildren Emma, Kate, Kevin, and Eric. Her family wishes to express their gratitude to The Overlook Post Acute Care and Hospice staff who cared
for her with kindness and love.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be sent in her name to the Jacqueline Rush Lynch Syndrome Cancer Foundation.
A Funeral Mass will be held on February 15th at 10:00 am at St. Joseph's Church in Charlton, with a reception to follow at the Publick House in Sturbridge.
J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer is assisting the family.