Sullivan, Ruth Elizabeth of Wellesley, age 84, passed away after a brief illness, on July 1, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. Ruth is survived by her brother James T. Sullivan and his wife Joan of Waltham, her dear friend of many years Joseph Niccoli of Wellesley, as well as many nephews and nieces: Francis Colleran and his wife Joan, William Colleran and his wife Amy, Richard Colleran all of Walpole; Edward Colleran of Dedham; John Sullivan and his wife Christine and Mary-Beth Sullivan all of CT; Michael Sullivan and his wife Karen of North Carolina; Margaret (Sullivan) Collins and her husband Patrick of Canton; James Sullivan and his wife Juliet of Sudbury. She is also survived by 15 great nephews and nieces and many cousins and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Margaret (McKay) Sullivan; her sister K. Patricia and her husband James Colleran; her brother Francis and his wife Helen Sullivan.
Ruth was a lifelong resident of Wellesley and a daily communicant at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Ruth’s legacy was her passion for teaching and her love of children. She was a graduate of Framingham State Teachers College and Boston University School of Education. Ruth spent time teaching for the Department of Defense in Germany. She taught many years for the Ashland Public School system and enjoyed her volunteer work at the Perkins School for the Blind. Her pastimes included playing the piano, swimming, knitting and crocheting. Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family in Connecticut, Marshfield and Cape Cod.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (RT. 16) Wellesley, Monday at 9 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Sunday from 4-8PM. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind 175 North Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472.