Barbara L. (Hughes)

Barbara L. Sullivan passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025. Born in Norristown on December 14, 1937, she was the daughter to the late Norman and Catherine Lilley (nee Wendel). Barbara married the love of her life and best friend, John L. Sullivan and together they shared almost 30 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 1990. She later went on to marry William R. Hughes until his passing in early 2000. Throughout her life, Barbara was faced with many challenges beginning with navigating the foster care system at a young age. Despite the obstacles life presented her, Barbara used her experience to fill her life with genuine love and compassion for so many. Along with raising her own children, Barbara devoted her life to serving as a foster mother to 28 children. It was her mission to make every child who entered her care receive the love, protection and safety they deserved, a feeling she did not always receive in her own youth. She is survived by her loving sister Nansi, grandchildren Jason, Jamie (Krista), Jillian (Mike), Kristine (Dave), Cheryl, Kathleen, Devin (Jevin), Caity, Dillon (Melissa), John and Shannon, great grandchildren Skyler, Dylan, Gianna, Logan, Little Bean, Jayson, Justin, Jace, Luca, Kenzie, Jesse, and Joey, and many nieces and nephews and friends. We are comforted to know that Barbara was welcomed into heaven by her beloved husband John and her 5 children, Jeanette Jones, Karen Sullivan, Cheryl Sullivan, John Sullivan and James Sullivan. She is predeceased by 10 siblings. Barbara used her upholstery skills and operated Sullivan's Upholstery for several years before her passing. She later went on to gain her CDL at the age of 80 and served as a bus driver for First Student. She was adored by many of her students, and she loved them just the same. Barbara had a heart of gold. She led her life with grit, compassion, love, unwavering persistence and resilience, humor and steadfast honesty-even brutal honesty at times. She has made an everlasting impression on the hearts of all she has touched and will be deeply missed by so many. Relatives and friends are invited to Barbara's Life Celebration on Wednesday September 17, 2025 from 10 am to 11:50 am followed by a time of sharing at 12 noon at Boyd Horrox Givnish Life Celebration Home of East Norriton, 200 West Germantown Pike. Interment to follow at Limerick Garden of Memories of Limerick, 44 Swamp Pike. To share your fondest memories of Barbara, please visit www.lifecelebration.com, 610-277-7000.