GLOUCESTER - Irma (Fitz) Sullivan, 100, wife of the late John J. "Sully" Sullivan and daughter of the late Joseph Howard Fitz and Velma Henrietta Arens Fitz Nettles passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2011 after a brief illness. She was born in Danvers, Massachusetts on May 14, 1911.
Mrs. Sullivan was a long-time resident of Gloucester, a city she and Sully visited on their honeymoon in 1942. She was an avid photographer and was also a gifted painter. Her work was exhibited in the Yankee General Gallery, the North Shore Art Association and Rockport Art Association galleries, among other venues. Irma was a life-long caregiver, starting at age 15 when she began helping to raise her young sister Barbara, and later her sister Gerry. After raising her daughter and son, Irma became a full-time caregiver to her husband, who suffered a disabling injury in 1970 and became a quadriplegic until his death 29 years later.
Irma graduated with honors from Somerville High School in 1929. When she was in her twenties, she studied at numerous Boston area colleges and universities, taking courses in art, law and photography at M.I.T. and Northeastern University, among other institutions. She was a member of the F7.7 Camera Club at M.I.T. Before marrying Sully, Irma worked as a photo retoucher in Boston and in the offices of Kemp’s Candy Factory.
Irma is survived by her two children, Velma Higgins of Gloucester and David Sullivan of Westwood, Massachusetts, as well as her son-in-law Gerald Higgins, daughter-in-law Bobbie Willett, her three granddaughters, Ellen Willett, Amy Higgins and Laura Higgins, her sister V. Geraldine Mills and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Orill Fitz and Carl Fitz and her sister, Barbara Nettles.
Mrs. Sullivan was beloved by all who knew her for her kind and generous heart and revered for her steadfast devotion to helping others. She will be deeply missed.
Private committal services were held on Friday. A celebration of Irma and Sully’s lives will be held at a date to be announced. Arrangements were under the direction of the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.