Maureen F. Sullivan

Obituary of Maureen F. Sullivan

Maureen Frances Sullivan, 78 years of age, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following a lengthy illness. Born in Orange, New Jersey on April 11, 1947, Maureen grew up in South Orange, attended Our Lady of Sorrows grammar school, East Orange Catholic High School and Berkely Secretarial School. "Home" included various locations over the years in East Orange, Morris Plains, South Orange and Warren. For this past year, Maureen lived with youngest sister Tess (Buckley) and husband Kevin in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Maureen was the eldest of Anna and Maurice J. Sullivan's nine children. She is survived by seven siblings: Regina Covello (John), Joann Farrell (Joe), Margaret Sullivan, Paul Sullivan (Margaret), Martin Sullivan (Catherine), Daniel Sullivan (Cheryl) and Theresa Buckley (Kevin).

Rounding out the extended 'clan" are 14 nieces and nephews: David Chieco (Karen), Marisa Christmas, Brenna Pearce (Ed), Christa Beshel (Jon), Tracy Tyson (Brendan), Ryan Sullivan (Jackie), Timothy Sullivan, Ian Sullivan, Margaret Brown (Jason), Kathryn Trubenbach-Byrne (Matt), Casey Buckley, Owen Buckley, Patrick Buckley and Elizabeth Buckley and 15 great nieces and nephews: DJ and Jessica Chieco, Jack, Kiara, and William Christmas, Edward, Tessa, and Marin Pearce, Madison Sullivan, Addison Beshel, Brady, Alexandra and Colton Trubenbach-Byrne, Quinn and Conor Tyson.

Maureen's mother Anna Regina Sullivan, father Maurice Joseph Sullivan (former South Orange Police Chief) and younger brother Vincent, all predeceased her.

Throughout her life and to the very end, Maureen possessed an 'activist's' spirit with a keen interest in world affairs. Blessed with a genuine sense of curiosity and appreciation for new and different things, Maureen thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the explorations and adventures of her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Maureen's working years spanned multiple decades and included the South Orange Public Library, multiple law firms, Bell Labs, AT&T and the municipality of Morris Plains.

Maureen was an incredibly kind, gentle, and loving being; she was a woman who shunned 'fussiness' and most forms of attention. She possessed the heart of a lion coupled with a fierce streak for caring for those less fortunate - both two legged and four legged - who could not care or advocate for themselves. "Thoughtful" is a word that comes to mind.

Within the family Maureen was - first and foremost - one of the " 3 big ones " (a term we used for the three oldest kids) but more importantly she was known by all for ALWAYS remembering a birthday, anniversary, graduation etc … NOT easy with a family of this size!

She loved the Jersey shore, venturing down there for many years in her younger days and was early 'on the trend' of bringing a portable record player to the beach (45's). A relentless advocate for animals of all stripes, Maureen was a 'fur Mom" to many dogs and cats throughout her life and an incredible Aunt to even more pups and kitties. Over the course of several decades, she generously and unwaveringly gave of her heart, her time and her love to multiple Animal Shelters in both Essex and Morris County. Maureen would have been thrilled to learn that quite recently the State of Pennsylvania joined a handful of other states when they passed a ground-breaking law recognizing pets as family members, not property.

Maureen's love for her parents, siblings and pets was without question - HOWEVER, Talk radio, Final Four tournament games (and frankly most college basketball), Bohemian Rhapsody and Freddy Mercury airings on television along with St Louis Cardinals and LA Dodgers baseball, Jeopardy, Smerconish and Bill Maher often gave us a run for our money! Her love for old movies was legend --- with Barbara Stanwyck, one of her all-time favorites.

As a family we were blessed to have been afforded quality time with Maureen throughout her last few weeks and/or to have been with her during her final hours. We are hopeful that the love that filled her final days and nights trumped any of the fears or discomfort that bubbled up. Ultimately, " we are all just walking each other home ".

At the family's request, this will be a Private Visitation

In lieu of flowers a donation to one of the following Organizations is appreciated:

St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center Madison, Chatham, NJ

ASPCA

National Wildlife Foundation