Obituary of Ruth V Sullivan

Link to Funeral Services

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Ruth V. Sullivan, the matriarch of the Sullivan family, passed away at her home, following a brief illness, on Thursday evening, February 16, 2023.  The beloved wife of 69 years of the late Robert Francis Sullivan, she was 92 years old.

Ruth was born, raised and educated in Woburn.  She was one of five children born to Swedish immigrants the late John and Vera Anderson.   Ruth would meet the love of her life, Robert Francis Sullivan, who had just finished his tour of duty with the United States Navy.  They would meet through mutual friends, and they were quite smitten with each other.  Bob would visit Ruth where she worked, Candyland in Woburn Center, and Ruth would always make sure that Bob got an extra scoop of ice cream in his frappe!

Ruth and Bob married in 1949 and Bob built their treasured home on Hillside Ave in Burlington.  They welcomed four children, whom they adored and began a life together that spanned 69 years.  Ruth was a stay at home mom until  her youngest child, Susan, went to middle school.  She then went to work as a secretary.  She ended her career working as a Dept. Head Secretary at Mitre in Bedford. 

When their children were young the family enjoyed family vacations at Arlington Pond and Lake Winnisquam in NH.  They also had several family vacations to Plant City Florida where the family of 6 all piled into the family car and had a wonderful and memorable time together. 

During their retirement years Ruth and Bob took a trip to Sweden to visit family and explore Ruth’s Swedish roots, which she was extremely proud of. They also had an awesome trip to the Grand Canyon that their four children gave them for their 50^th wedding anniversary.  Ruth and Bob were avid Yard Sale and Flea Market people, a hobby they enjoyed together.  Sundays were spent going to the flea market at the Todd Farm in  Rowley.  They would get up early in the morning to make sure they got the perfect location to display their goods.

In later years it was all about being a “Nana” to her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her extended family in the neighborhood.  Ruth was everyone’s Nana.  She was known for giving her grandchildren and their friends in the neighborhood ice cream.  All the kids would flock to her home to get one of her fabulous ice cream cones! 

Ruth was a loving caregiver for her husband Bob, who suffered from dementia in the last several years of his life. She and all her children and their families made sure that he was cared for loved and able to stay home until his death in 2018.  Ruth will be remembered as a strong, patient and loving woman who always put the needs of her family first.

Ruth was the beloved wife of 69 years of the late Robert Francis Sullivan.  She was the loving mother of Richard & his wife Cheryl of Burlington, Paul & his wife Cindy of Billerica, David & his wife Debra of Burlington, and Susan Hanafin & her husband Jim of Burlington.   Ruth was the proud Nana of 18 and Great-Nana of 25.  Sister of the late Greta DeMone and Eric, Ben “Sonny” & Ronald Anderson.  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 4 -7pm.  Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb 22 at 11am.  Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be in made in memory of Ruth’s late grandson Kevin Sullivan – Kevin D. Sullivan Scholarship Fund, c/o Northern Bank & Trust, 13 Center St., Burlington, MA 01803. 

For directions, obituary, online guestbook, memorial video and live-stream of the funeral service see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net