Ida Mae Sullivan ("Mae"), 70, of South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, MA.
Ida Mae Sullivan, lovingly known as “Mae,” passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, in Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Newton, MA, Mae was the daughter of the late Minnie Celena Clarkin Rowlings of Prince Edward Island and the late James William Rowlings Sr. of Nova Scotia. She grew up in Dorchester and graduated from Hyde Park High School.
Mae was married for 17 years to the late Joseph P. “JP” Sullivan of Jamaica Plain. She is held dearly in the hearts of her two children: her son, Joseph R. Sullivan II, and his wife Lauren, along with their daughter, Sophie Drew, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and her daughter, Jocelyn F. Sullivan, and her partner, Mark Midkiff, of Orlando, Florida.
Mae was happiest surrounded by her children, family and friends at her “Happy Place” on the Cape. She had a special gift for making others feel welcome. Her door was always open, and her home often filled with laughter, cookouts, storytelling, games, and sleepovers with nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Mae’s legacy continues through her two sisters: Evelyn Rowlings of Saugus, and Diane Clough and her husband Phil of Yarmouth; as well as her brothers: James Rowlings Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Hyde Park, and Edwin Rowlings and his wife Barbara of New York.
Mae is also survived by her mother-in-law, Dorothea Sullivan of Jamaica Plain; her brother-in-law, John L. Sullivan and his wife Georgina of Braintree; and was predeceased by her father-in-law, Joseph R. Sullivan Sr. She was a dear friend to Ted and Donna Bunnell of Jamaica Plain, Margaret Fitzgerald of Brighton, and Lenny and Lisa Coakley of Yarmouth. Mae is also lovingly remembered by many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Visiting hours at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury on Friday, August 1st from 9:00 am – 11:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 am in St. Theresa Church. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. For guestbook gormleyfuneral.com