Winifred Ann Sullivan (nee Roat)
Winifred Ann “Winnie” Sullivan passed away peacefully and joined her Higher Power on November 7, 2013, after a short and difficult few months battling ALS. Winnie was predeceased by her parents Irene (nee Brennan) and Thomas Roat. She leaves behind her five points of light – her cherished children – Thomas “Roger” Sullivan, Marilyn Louis and her husband Phil, Amy Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan and his partner Cadey Collier, and Pegeen “Peg” Sullivan and her partner Trish Donovan. She also leaves the apples of her eye, – her beloved grandchildren – Morgan Sullivan, Donovan Sullivan, Jeff Louis and his wife Connie, Michelle Schawe and her husband Dave, Heather Louis, Kevin Louis, Dan Sullivan, Andrew Sullivan, and Amanda Bahler and her husband Bradly. Winnie was happy to have been able to meet and hold her first great grandchild, Gavin Louis. Winnie was predeceased by her infant son, Timothy Michael, who she is looking forward to meeting where God takes her next. Winnie also leaves her siblings Thomas Roat; Elizabeth “Betty” Schalk; Patricia “Patty” Sunday; and Sue Rottmueller and her husband Paul, as well as many loving nieces and nephews who dubbed her their “Great” Aunt Winnie. Winnie also leaves her dearest friend whom she met when they were six, Mary Ellen Thompkins, with whom she shared a love of violets and a disdain for one or more nuns who will go unnamed; her former husband Thomas W. Sullivan, and her brother-in-laws Jerome P. Sullivan and Michael L. Sullivan whom she counted as brothers in spirit.
Winnie raised five children and was always all-in as a mom. She was a Girl Scout leader to dozens of girls; her cakes for the Cub Scout fundraisers always got the highest bid; she sewed costumes for plays and musicals; she was ever-present on the sidelines, in the stands or in the audience no matter what sport, what event, or what kid. In her late 30’s, Winnie returned to school to get a degree in nursing and, once again, she was all-in. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from University of Cincinnati’s Raymond Walters campus, Winnie went on to spend more than 30 years in the profession, more than 15 of which were spent as a trauma nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Winnie had a special passion for emergency medicine and loved the co-workers she called friends at Good Sam.
Winnie’s other great passion was her art. She delighted in taking classes and learning new techniques and then applying what she learned to her creations. She generously gifted her creations to family and friends and they will be cherished reminders of her talent and of the joy being an artist brought her. At the end of her life, she found great comfort in being surrounded by her favorite creations.
Winnie found a spiritual home in Unity and ascribed to the belief of a loving, forgiving, welcoming High Power. She was committed to daily reflection and did her best to incorporate her spiritual learning and beliefs in how she lived her life and let others live theirs.
Winnie loved all things Irish and was thrilled to have journeyed to the Emerald Isle twice in her life, She brought back with her a love of Celtic music, homemade scones and a penchant for a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream in her coffee. She loved animals, the beauty of nature, the theater, and fine food.
Thanks to the unselfish devotion of daughters Marilyn and Amy and the support of Hospice of Cincinnati, Winnie was able to fulfill her wish of staying home until her death.
The family is following their mother’s wishes to be cremated. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Fares J. Radel, 5950 Kellogg Avenue on Tuesday, November 12th. Winnie’s family will receive guests from 5 to 9 pm and a Celebration Service will held at 7 pm. Guests are requested to wear bright colors, especially Winnie’s favorite colors of red or purple, in recognition of the joy she found in color everywhere. Refreshments will be served.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial honorariums be given in Winnie’s name to Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263, or the ALS Society of Central and Southern Ohio, 1170 Old Henderson Road, Suite 221, Columbus, OH 43220.
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