Helen E. (Downey) Sullivan, 94, of Fairhaven passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday September 16, 2014 at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late John J. and Florence M. (Bosworth) Downey, she had lived in Fairhaven for most of her life.
She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church, where she had been a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society, the Legion of Mary, and the Wednesday Morning Prayer Group.
Mrs. Sullivan was formerly employed as a waitress at Steve's Coffee Shop in New Bedford. She later worked at St. Luke's Hospital in the Food and Nutrition Department and at St. Joseph's Rectory in Fairhaven.
She was a former Bingo worker at St. Joseph's School. She was active in the chorus at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home.
She is survived by three children, Laureen M. Ignacio Milroy and her husband Bryce Milroy of Brockton, Catherine M. Martin of Middleboro, and James L. Sullivan of Dartmouth; her son-in-law, Bruce M. Cathcart of New Bedford; two sisters, Kathleen Oliveira of Fairhaven and Barbara Affonce of Acushnet; a brother, Joseph F. Downey of California; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Sandra H. Cathcart, and the sister of the late Mary Menino, John J. Downey, Jr., James A. Downey, Paul V. Downey, Thomas S. Downey, Lawrence E. Downey, and Francis B. Downey.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven at 10 AM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.