Rockville Centre resident Ellen Sullivan dies at 96

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Rockville Centre resident Ellen J. Sullivan died on March 28 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 96.

The eldest child of Ella and Joseph O’Grady, she was a resident of Rockville Centre for 65 years.

Sullivan graduated from Cortland Teachers College in 1946 after years of taking the long bus ride from Great Neck to Cortland back and forth. This was also during a time when few women attended four-year colleges. She worked as a teacher in the Franklin Square School District prior to settling down and starting a family.

Family, friends and church — these were three constants in Sullivan’s life. She was active in the community as a member of the Nassau Women’s League, St. Agnes Mothers’ Club, St. Agnes Rosary Altar Society and served on the St. Agnes Elementary School Board, bowling leagues and bridge groups.

She most enjoyed spending time with her family at her East Marion home and Malibu Beach Club and loved travel and a glass of Moscato. Sullivan was always relaxed and positive.

Pat Kriss said her mother was a child of the Great Depression, and that her experiences growing up in that era helped her learn to save money and food, teaching her children how to adapt to hard times.

Sullivan clipped coupons and managed to keep a family of seven clothed and fed on only $50 a week. Kriss said her mother was proud to see her daughter become a teacher in Rockville Centre and, eventually, the executive director of Nassau County Council of School Superintendents.

Besides by Kriss, Sullivan is survived by her children, Ellen Moleno, Paul Sullivan, Kevin Sullivan and Kathy Jordan. She was a cherished grandmother to fourteen grand children and a great-grandmother to six. She was a loving and devoted wife to Paul J. Sullivan for more than 44 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sullivan’s memory to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, or AFTD. Services were held at Glynn’s Funeral Home and funeral services were held at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on April 7.