GRACE CATHERINE SULLIVAN

SULLIVAN, Grace Catherine (Railsback) Passed away peacefully, on September 3, 2025, at her home in Edgartown, MA, surrounded by family. Born February 13, 1939, in Mansfield, OH, to David Railsback and Claire Pease, she was raised in Bridgeport, CT and later lived in Chelmsford, MA and Newburyport, MA. Her fondest memories were of summers at her great-grandparents' home on Martha's Vineyard. At age 30, she resumed her education with determination, earning Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees in nursing. She was an ICU nurse, before her career as a professor of nursing. She had a distinguished career at Lowell Gen. Hosp., UMass-Lowell, Salem State Univ. and Rivier Univ., where she was named Professor Emerita in 2007. In retirement, she worked to expand education access to Martha's Vineyard residents through ACE/MV. She was a proud member of the DAR. She lived a life committed to education, family, justice, integrity and love. Survived by her children, James D. Sullivan of Cataumet, MA, Lawrence Sullivan of Costa Mesa, CA, Jennifer Zaniboni Guy and husband, Robert Guy, of Rowley, MA and Susan Grinblatas of Georgetown, MA; sister, Wendy Calderon and husband, John Calderon, of Simi Valley, CA; and six grandchildren. Service on October 10, 2025, at 12:00pm, at the Federated Church, 45 S. Summer St., Edgartown, MA. Donations in her name may be made to the ACLU.

View the online memorial for Grace Catherine (Railsback) SULLIVAN