Nina Sullivan Bolch

Nina Lee Sullivan Bolch, a lifelong Savannahian, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the age of 101, at a private skilled nursing facility in Davie, Florida.

Born at home on 36th Street in Savannah, Georgia, Nina was the daughter of William Frasier Sullivan and Annie Mae Avant Sullivan. The second of seven children, she spent her entire life rooted in the city she loved. She attended Savannah public schools and graduated from Savannah High School in 1943, beginning a century-long life closely woven into the history and community of Savannah.

On April 12, 1947, Nina married native Savannahian Ralph Edmond Bolch. They shared 38 devoted years of marriage until his death in August 1985. Before becoming a mother, Nina worked full-time—first for the railroad during World War II, and later for Union Camp on the Savannah River. After the birth of her children, she chose to remain at home during their formative years, a role she treasured. Later, she returned to the workforce, first earning her real estate license and working as a residential real estate agent, then taking courses at Savannah Area Vocational-Technical School to become qualified for an administrative position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she worked for 8 years until her retirement.

Nina grew up in downtown Savannah, often shopping and going to the theater on Broughton Street and taking summertime day trips to the beach on Tybee Island. After 14 years of marriage, she and Ralph built a home on Savannah’s Southside shortly before the birth of their first child, and she continued to live there for more than 60 years. As a young woman, she enjoyed attending USO dances, and after marriage, she and Ralph found fun in square dancing with friends. Following Ralph’s death, Nina returned to dancing, embracing tap and ballroom dancing with enthusiasm.

She was known by family and friends as a woman deeply devoted to her husband, her home, and her children, and as a woman of strong and abiding faith. Nina was a lifelong member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, on Victory Drive, where she faithfully worshipped and served in many roles over the decades.

Nina was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and all her siblings: Anna Fesh, William Sullivan, Jr., James Sullivan, Mary Blomberg, Robert Sullivan, and Elizabeth Clinton.

She is survived by her two children, Ralph Edmond “Eddie” Bolch, Jr. (Shirley) of Savannah, Georgia, and Barbara Dobbs (Ronald) of Bluffton, South Carolina; two grandchildren, Jenna Spencer of Anderson, South Carolina, and Timothy Dobbs of Beaufort, South Carolina; 4 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 11 am until 12:30 pm at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Ave., Savannah.  Funeral services will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel.

Burial will be private, at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery, in Savannah, Georgia.