Gretchen Reardon Sullivan

Gretchen Reardon Sullivan, 49, wife of William T. "Bill" Sullivan of Ipswich, died peacefully in her home on July 6, 2012 following her long illness. Born in Springfield, daughter of John Jack A. Reardon of Ipswich and Shirley E. Chapman of West Newton, she was raised in Andover and Ipswich. She graduated from Andover High School in 1981 and couldn't wait to enter the workforce . Gretchen graduated from Marian Court Jr. College in 1992 where she was awarded the McAuliffe Award for high honors. She graduated from Lesley College in 1994 earning a BS in Management.Gretchen spent fourteen years working at Bostik in Middleton. She started as a Human Resources Rep., served as the editor of The Bostik Bugle, and advanced to Marketing Director. She was also a member of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Gretchen was the Human Resources Manager, Northeast Region for ACOM/Metcalf and Eddy in Wakefield. Gretchen and Bill were married in 1989 at The Crane Estate in Ipswich. They made their home and raised their family in Ipswich for the past seventeen years. Gretchen was full of life and put her all into everything that she did. She loved going to the beach, boating, watching her children take part in their activities, and spending time with family and friends. More than anything though, she loved to be with her beloved husband and children. In addition to her husband of twenty-three years and her parents she is survived by two sons, Sean R. Sullivan, Liam T. Sullivan and a daughter, Shannon Y. Sullivan all of Ipswich; a sister, Lianne R. Halloran and her husband John of Ipswich; stepmother Mary Reardon of Ipswich; stepsister Maureen Gilbert and her husband Andrew of Newburyport; father and mother-in-law Richard and Anita Sullivan of Peabody; brothers-in-law Richard Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Donna of Salem; and David Sullivan and his wife Julie of West Peabody; and a sister-in-law Susan Bunting and her husband Al of Seabrook, NH. Gretchen was predeased by a brother, the late J.Glenn Reardon of Colorado. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. Her funeral service was held Tuesday, July 10 in the First Church in Ipswich, Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich. Interment will be private. Arrangements by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or Susan G. Komen Foundation, P. O. Box 650309 Dallas, TX 75265-0309. To leave a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com