Sullivan, Patricia S. “Patsy” October 16, 1937 - December 17, 2022

Patricia S. “Patsy” Sullivan passed away peacefully on December 17, 2022 at age 85 after a decade long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Patsy was born on October 16, 1937, to the late Timothy and Helen Neville.  Patsy is predeceased by her siblings Teddy and Ann, her devoted husband Joseph (Joe) and beloved daughter Julia Wetmore.  Patsy is survived by her eight siblings and four daughters, Ellen (Bruce), Joan (Thomas), Nora, and Deirdre (Andrew).  She is also survived by 15 loving grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and countless nieces and nephews.  Patsy was born and raised in the Harding Park section of the Bronx and grew up in a loving, and very large, tight-knit, Irish family.  She was the fifth child out of 11 children. Patsy attended Holy Cross grammar school and graduated from Cathedral High School. She would later meet and marry Joe Sullivan, an aspiring young lawyer.  Together, they raised five daughters in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx where Patsy relished being a mother and homemaker on Dudley Avenue.  Patsy was never happier than shopping for ingredients to prepare a home cooked meal for her family.  Patsy also loved to sew and would spend hours at the table with patterns, fabric and thread to sew dresses for “her girls” to wear on special occasions, especially on Easter Sunday.  Patsy also loved to decorate her home and was never afraid to tackle any DIY project be it wallpapering, painting, refinishing furniture or hammering away at a nail.  Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas and nothing brought her more joy than to be surrounded by family.

Patsy savored spending her summers in Hampton Bays, packing the cooler with lunch sandwiches, walking to the inlet at Ponquogue Beach and buying fresh seafood at Tully’s to prepare a late-night summer meal on the deck.  Patsy loved when she became a grandmother and couldn’t wait to buy the first bonnet or blanket for any one of her daughters who returned home from the hospital with their newborn.  One could even recall her purchasing a bassinet in a Manhattan shop only to carry it all the way home on the subway while awaiting a grandchild’s birth.  Patsy enjoyed traveling to Ireland with her sisters and she treasured Ireland’s hospitality, scenery, and beauty.  Patsy beamed with pride over her daughters’ accomplishments.  She supported and encouraged Joe in his legal career, happily attending political events and work functions, and was known for her delicious Irish soda breads which she baked for Joe’s staff every St. Patrick’s Day.  She was a loyal and devoted wife for 63 years.  As her Alzheimer’s disease progressed, she took solace in her Christian faith.  She and Joe would often be found sitting together admiring the beautiful gardens at Brooklands, at the first sign of spring. Patsy was a communicant at both St. Joseph’s Church and St. Rosalie’s Church.  Patsy’s daughters are grateful to her caregivers who showed love and compassion and to all who assisted in their mother’s care.

Family and friends will gather at McGrath’s Funeral Home, Bronxville, NY on December 21, 2022 prior to the 10:45 am Mass at St Joseph’s Church for visitation.  Burial will take place immediately following at St Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx, NY, where she will rest in eternal peace beside her beloved Joe.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Patsy’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association: by mail at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601, or on-line at www.alz.org