Dorothy Elizabeth (Morrissey) Sullivan January 22, 1933 – April 2, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dorothy Elizabeth (Morrissey) Sullivan of West Roxbury, following a sudden terminal cancer diagnosis six weeks ago. Dorothy passed peacefully on April 2, 2026 at the age of 93. Born on January 22, 1933, in the Jeffries Point area of East Boston, Massachusetts, she was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph Morrissey and Helen (Cadigan) Morrissey and devoted wife of the late Sergeant David P. Sullivan (BPD).
Days swimming at Jeffries Point during the Great Depression were some of the best days of her life, as she would say, “everyone was the same, everyone had nothing.” She lived through the Great Depression, and it gently shaped the person she became. During this challenging time, she came to deeply admire her father and mother’s work ethic, a value that became instilled in her and carried with her throughout her life.
Dorthy attended Assumption Grammar School and went on to graduate from the exclusive Fitton Girls High School, where she truly excelled in her studies and went on to pursue a distinguished career with the New England Telephone Company.
Her weekends were spent attending many dances, and from that love of dance, she became a truly exceptional ballroom dance instructor at the Aurthur Murray Dance Studio.
While attending a dance one night, she met the love of her life, David P. Sullivan (BPD), in 1958, whom she would later marry on September 22, 1963. They would welcome four children, Susan, Beth, and Dennis, who were all born on 968 Bennington Street, and baby Michael, born on 59 Chesbrough Rd. She and Dave had a loving, wonderful marriage of mutual respect, where she took on the role of domestic engineer and he, as a Boston Police Sergeant. They complemented each other.
As her early days of youth were filled with endless summers swimming in the waters at Jeffries Point, she shared that same love for the water with her children. Summers were spent with her beloved sister Marion and the children at Constitution Beach, which had a view of a runway at Logan Airport in East Boston, just across from the house. Days were filled with endless laughter.
After Dennis was born and now having three children in a one-bedroom apartment, the family moved to West Roxbury, at 59 Chesbrough Rd. Her beautiful white house on Chesbrough Rd. is where she lovingly maintained her immaculate property and front lawn phlox, a reflection of the pride she took in her home. Of course, the pool went up in the backyard, where summers were spent welcoming neighborhood kids for ice cream cones, long, sun-filled days, and her famous, delicious chocolate chip cookies—creating endless summers filled with joyful memories.
An incredibly talented woman, she was a skilled seamstress who made all of her own clothes throughout her youth, often finishing them just hours before attending dances. She was especially known for her beautiful Irish knit sweaters, lovingly made for her family, grandchildren, and for the great-grandchildren she so cherished, including those yet to come.
She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often enjoying long phone conversations with those she loved. She was known not only for her amazing tea and unmatched grilled cheese, but also for her unmistakable “Ya-low” when answering the phone. Affectionately known as “Nana Sully,” she lovingly referred to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “the smartest brood ever.”
Dorothy loved her family deeply and is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses. Susan (Sullivan) Tinory (Frederick) of Attleboro, MA; Beth (Sullivan) Finn (Michael) of West Roxbury, MA; Dennis Sullivan (Maura) of Wellesley, MA, and the late Michael Christopher Sullivan of West Roxbury, MA. Dorothy was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren, Laurel (Tinory) Lopez (David) of Attleboro, MA; David Tinory (Michaela) of North Attleboro, MA; Christian Tinory (Madeline) of Attleboro, MA; Delia (Tinory) Taylor (Bryan) of Merrimack, NH; Shayne Finn (BPD) (Carri) of West Roxbury, MA; Michaela Finn of Brighton, MA; Daniel Sullivan of Wellesley, MA, Caitlin Sullivan of Wellesley, MA and Sean Sullivan of Wellesley, MA. And nine great-grandchildren. David Lopez, Jr., Elias Lopez, Grimm Lopez, Keira Tinory, David Michael Tinory, Charlotte Tinory, Brielle Tinory, Bridget Tinory, and soon-to-be baby Finn.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews with a special fondness for her much-loved late sister Marion’s daughters, Susan (Big Susie) Lombard and Kathy Slatt, with whom she maintained a close, loving relationship through the years.
She is predeceased by her beloved sister, Marion (Morrissey) Lombard, and her dear brother, Joseph Morrissey, both of whom she adored deeply.
A special and heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence for the extraordinary compassion and care they showed Dorothy, becoming like family to her during her final weeks.
Visitation will be held at the Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA (directly across from the funeral home) at 11:30 A.M. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial contributions be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/. https://t2t.org/.
Dorothy will be deeply missed, her memory forever living on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dorothy Elizabeth (Morrissey) Sullivan of West Roxbury, following a sudden terminal cancer diagnosis six weeks ago. Dorothy passed peacefully on April 2, 2026 at the age of 93. Born on January 22, 1933, in the Jeffries Point area of East Boston, Massachusetts, she was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph Morrissey and Helen (Cadigan) Morrissey and devoted wife of the late Sergeant David P. Sullivan (BPD).
Days swimming at Jeffries Point during the Great Depression were some of the best days of her life, as she would say, “everyone was the same, everyone had nothing.” She lived through the Great Depression, and it gently shaped the person she became. During this challenging time, she came to deeply admire her father and mother’s work ethic, a value that became instilled in her and carried with her throughout her life.
Dorthy attended Assumption Grammar School and went on to graduate from the exclusive Fitton Girls High School, where she truly excelled in her studies and went on to pursue a distinguished career with the New England Telephone Company.
Her weekends were spent attending many dances, and from that love of dance, she became a truly exceptional ballroom dance instructor at the Aurthur Murray Dance Studio.
While attending a dance one night, she met the love of her life, David P. Sullivan (BPD), in 1958, whom she would later marry on September 22, 1963. They would welcome four children, Susan, Beth, and Dennis, who were all born on 968 Bennington Street, and baby Michael, born on 59 Chesbrough Rd. She and Dave had a loving, wonderful marriage of mutual respect, where she took on the role of domestic engineer and he, as a Boston Police Sergeant. They complemented each other.
As her early days of youth were filled with endless summers swimming in the waters at Jeffries Point, she shared that same love for the water with her children. Summers were spent with her beloved sister Marion and the children at Constitution Beach, which had a view of a runway at Logan Airport in East Boston, just across from the house. Days were filled with endless laughter.
After Dennis was born and now having three children in a one-bedroom apartment, the family moved to West Roxbury, at 59 Chesbrough Rd. Her beautiful white house on Chesbrough Rd. is where she lovingly maintained her immaculate property and front lawn phlox, a reflection of the pride she took in her home. Of course, the pool went up in the backyard, where summers were spent welcoming neighborhood kids for ice cream cones, long, sun-filled days, and her famous, delicious chocolate chip cookies—creating endless summers filled with joyful memories.
An incredibly talented woman, she was a skilled seamstress who made all of her own clothes throughout her youth, often finishing them just hours before attending dances. She was especially known for her beautiful Irish knit sweaters, lovingly made for her family, grandchildren, and for the great-grandchildren she so cherished, including those yet to come.
She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often enjoying long phone conversations with those she loved. She was known not only for her amazing tea and unmatched grilled cheese, but also for her unmistakable “Ya-low” when answering the phone. Affectionately known as “Nana Sully,” she lovingly referred to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “the smartest brood ever.”
Dorothy loved her family deeply and is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses. Susan (Sullivan) Tinory (Frederick) of Attleboro, MA; Beth (Sullivan) Finn (Michael) of West Roxbury, MA; Dennis Sullivan (Maura) of Wellesley, MA, and the late Michael Christopher Sullivan of West Roxbury, MA. Dorothy was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren, Laurel (Tinory) Lopez (David) of Attleboro, MA; David Tinory (Michaela) of North Attleboro, MA; Christian Tinory (Madeline) of Attleboro, MA; Delia (Tinory) Taylor (Bryan) of Merrimack, NH; Shayne Finn (BPD) (Carri) of West Roxbury, MA; Michaela Finn of Brighton, MA; Daniel Sullivan of Wellesley, MA, Caitlin Sullivan of Wellesley, MA and Sean Sullivan of Wellesley, MA. And nine great-grandchildren. David Lopez, Jr., Elias Lopez, Grimm Lopez, Keira Tinory, David Michael Tinory, Charlotte Tinory, Brielle Tinory, Bridget Tinory, and soon-to-be baby Finn.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews with a special fondness for her much-loved late sister Marion’s daughters, Susan (Big Susie) Lombard and Kathy Slatt, with whom she maintained a close, loving relationship through the years.
She is predeceased by her beloved sister, Marion (Morrissey) Lombard, and her dear brother, Joseph Morrissey, both of whom she adored deeply.
A special and heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence for the extraordinary compassion and care they showed Dorothy, becoming like family to her during her final weeks.
Visitation will be held at the Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA (directly across from the funeral home) at 11:30 A.M. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial contributions be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/. https://t2t.org/.
Dorothy will be deeply missed, her memory forever living on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
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