Elin Sullivan Obituary
Elin "Gay" Sullivan of Braintree, MA (formerly of Dorchester, and later Quincy) passed away with grace and peace on October 31st, 2023 at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston to Arthur and Helen Callahan in 1929, Elin was a proficient piano and organist, teaching hundreds of students throughout her life, and passing her passion for music to others. As the organist for St. Mary's Parish for 47 years, she spent much of her life using her talents to enrich the lives of others through music. The late wife of Robert E. Sullivan, who passed in 2010, Elin is survived by her five children; Kevin Sullivan of Stuart, FL, Kathleen Stiffler of Quincy, MA, Sheila Sullivan of Denver, CO, Maura O'Connor of Braintree, MA, and Daniel Sullivan of Canton, MA. The loving grandmother of eight grandchildren; Eric and Lauren Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Zac and Ryan Stiffler, Elizabeth and Neilla O'Connor, and Robert Sullivan, as well as her four great grandchildren; Nolan, Aurabel, Lillian May and Rowan Sullivan.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Saturday, November 4th, from 9:00 am – 10:30 am, at the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home, 74 Elm Street, Quincy Center. At 11:00 am there will be a Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, Quincy. Burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Quincy.
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5 Entries
Paul Sullivan
August 24, 2024
I was at the dog park today in Denver and met a great person who was an altar boy as well. The memories flooded as my eyes watered and shared that Nana was an Organist remembering the times upstairs in the back of the church on Crescent St. Nana kept a pic up there with my cousin Eric and I sporting the red flannels.
Paul Sullivan
May 13, 2024
Kelly Graeber
November 3, 2023
I was so blessed to have Gay Sullivan in my life. She was an absolute force of nature and an inspiration to me.
Thank you Gay for your faith, your friendship and all the music we made together. I love you dearly.
Until we meet again,
Kelly Graeber
Tom&Mary Kelly
November 3, 2023
The Sullivan-Callahan-Kelly connection has been a blessing for three generations . Bonded by faith and music , Gay has been a constant in creating joyful music memories. She has inspired young and old as the "Queen of the keyboards"at minstrel shows; St. Boniface and St.Mary´s, children´s and adult´s choirs , piano lessons , St. Mary´s music teacher and our children´s weddings . When selecting liturgical music for mass , she said " If you play what they know, they will sing ". We sing your praises Gay.
Thank you to the Sullivan Family for sharing your Mom, Gay with us over the years . She has left us with countless treasured memories .
With gratitude and Love,
Tom, Mary Kate, Lisa, Shawn Kelly and their families
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Paul Sullivan
November 2, 2023
Love and miss you Nana. Love Paul.
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