Martha Ann (Smith) Sullivan, 87, passed away November 30, 2012 at her home in South Dartmouth. She was the wife of the late Atty. Thomas M. Sullivan. Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Alexander “Sandy” Smith and the late Norah (Davis) “Dodie” Smith, she lived in the New Bedford area all of her life.
Martha was a graduate of Holy Family High School, and joined the Navy WAVES shortly before the end of World War II. She worked as a clerk at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Loring Photographic Studios where she met her husband. The eldest of thirteen children she went on to raise seven of her own. A woman of strong faith and beliefs, Martha was very active in fighting for the rights of the unborn in the Pro-Life movement and was a founding member and president of the local chapter of The Massachusetts Citizens For Life. She walked in protest of the Supreme Court decision in Washington D.C. in 1973. Martha was also involved with the Catholic Woman’s Club, the Saint Lawrence Church Council and the Saint Mary’s Church Ladies Guild in South Dartmouth.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, she loved spending time with friends and family, especially her nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Martha loved time spent at the beach in West Dennis, at the Nantucket house “Tomtucket”, and her winter home in Englewood, Florida. She remembered fondly her childhood summer visits to her parents’ native Newfoundland. She enjoyed gardening, watching the Celtics and late-night talk TV, and of late, Sudoku puzzles, to “keep her mind sharp”. Martha was kind and compassionate, our “rock” and Matriarch, who gave us gentle encouragement, sound advice, and was always there for us. She tried to instill in her family the value of Faith, and the importance of strong moral character. We will all miss her dearly.
She is survived by her four daughters, Martha A. Muldoon and her husband Dennis of New Bedford, Norah M. Sullivan of Vashon Island, Washington, Kieran M. Sullivan of Wrentham, and Neala M. Sullivan of Key Largo, Florida; two sons, Davis L. Sullivan and his companion Jayne Darling of Rochester and Mark E. Sullivan of New Bedford; three daughters-in-law, Catherine Cipriano Sullivan of Dartmouth, Maureen Sullivan Pereira of New Bedford and Sarah M. Innes of Wareham; four sisters, Margaret O’Neil and Barbara Brennan, both of New Bedford, Alice Larson and Shirley Walmsley, both of South Dartmouth; a brother, Alexander Smith of Rockport. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew Muldoon and his wife Jennifer of Boston, Christopher Muldoon and his wife Asta of Rochester, Timothy Muldoon of Craigville, S. William Centauro, Maire Bridget Centauro, Margaret Murphy Sullivan and Grace Sullivan Centauro, all of Wrentham, and Eleanore MacRae Sullivan of Rochester; four great grandchildren, Eva Marie Muldoon, Andrew Muldoon, Claire Muldoon, Finn Centauro; and 37 nieces and nephews.
She sorrowfully witnessed the passing of her infant daughter Christine, her eldest son T. Patrick Sullivan, and his son P. Alexander Sullivan. Martha is predeceased by her brother Peter V. Smith, sisters Catherine J. Griffin, Mary Theresa Smith, Eleanora Fontaine, Natalie B. Arnett, Winifred Smith, and Theresa Mary Smith.
Visiting hours are Monday, December 3rd, from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 4th, at 10:00 AM at Saint Lawrence Martyr Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Saint Lawrence Martyr Church Bell Tower Fund, 110 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740.