Judy A. Sullivan
December 15, 1938 ~ November 8, 2009
Judy A. Sullivan, 71, of Robins, died at home on Sunday, November 8, 2009. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation from 4 ' 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include her husband, Ray; her children, Mary (David Combs) Sullivan of Robins, John (Ashley) Sullivan of Monticello, Tim (Maren) Sullivan of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Mark (Valerie) Sullivan of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Teresa (Peter Rian) Sullivan of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; grandchildren, O'Ryan, Cecelia, Beatrice, Anna, Brenna, Gage, Maeve, Fiona, Keiran, Heath, Henry, and one on the way; her father, William Primrose, Sr. of Marion; a sister, Marilyn (David) Bickal of Palo; and a brother, William Primrose, Jr. of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her mother, Irma; and a brother, Bob Primrose. Judy was born December 15, 1938, in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of William and Irma (Kelso) Primrose. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1960 and went on to teach in Hubbard, Iowa, Welcome, Minnesota, Fairmont, Minnesota and in Cedar Rapids at Kirkwood Community College and McKinley Junior High School. She married Ray Sullivan on August 5, 1961, in Vinton, Iowa. For 25 years she worked for HACAP, retiring as a Unit Manager in 2004. During her time with HACAP, she was a grants writer and was instrumental in obtaining funds for many programs serving the community. Following her retirement, she enjoyed gardening, quilting, reading hundreds of books, listening to her large music collection, and embroidering baby blankets for her grandchildren. Judy was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir and led music during mass. A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Hospice of Mercy for their loving care. The family requests memorials be directed to Hospice of Mercy.
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I’m sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.
I was extremely sorry for the loss of Judy to her family. I have been a member of the HACAP family for 29 year and had worked with Judy until her retirement. She was dedicated to providing a hand up and not a hand out.
There is not much one can say to easy the pain of the family caused by the loss but be assured she is with her make in heaven. God bless.
I pray that God has you in his hands and that you are loving your eternal life
Sorry for your loss.
Ray & family, Judy & I were classmates in Vinton and I so enjoyed her humor and how very smart she was. She loved to read even then. So sorry for your sad loss but she was a beautiful lady inside and out. God bless you all and may our Lord comfort you and your family. Karen
Dear Family,
Aunt Judy laid a firm foundation of servatude and wisdom. This is so evident in each of you as well. I will always admire her bold inner strength and humor. In these most recent years she fought a fight that none of us would want to have to go through and she did it with great courage. She is a great example to all of us. Although this separation is only temporary, she will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to each of you!
So very sorry for your loss.
Chris
I always remember her to be a very vibrant personality. When she entered a room, you noticed! Sorry for your loss.
Judy, as Weatherization unit manager at HACAP, was my boss for several years. She was always very pleasant, fair, and great to work with.
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.
Because of a life threatening injury to a family member I will be unable to attend the services, but Judy will be in my thoughts.
Ray & Family;
We are so sorry for your loss. I frist met Judy when I came into the HACAP Housing program about 16 years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, Justin, who is now 15 1/2. During my time in the program I was in need of employment, which Judy also took care of, by finding me a place with the maintence crew at HACAP. She was one of the most kind and generous people I have ever known. I always knew that she was proud of what I had accomplished through the years, how my son had grown up, my family, and my daughter, Mackenzie. We were always so glad to see each other at church and I was heartbroken to hear of her health problems the last few years. She was such a wonderful person and I am so glad to have had her be a part of our lives. We will miss her greatly!
With Our Deepest Sympathies,
Jodi, Gerald, Justin, & Mackenzie Eichhorn
Many memories of IC moms helping out with various activities. I was saddened to hear of your loss. God Bless.
I was very sad to hear of Judys passing. Many memories growing up with the Sullivans and Judy was at the helm! I miss her singing at Mass. God Bless and my prayers are with all of you.
Tim,
I am so sorry for your loss, I won’t be able to attend the services but sending a note of my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
God Bless
To the Sullivan family,I have many memories of Judy being part of the I.C. family over the years.Never easy losing someone. Your in our thoughts.
I worked with Judy for many years at HACAP. As I told her son at the visitation, she was a mentor, inspiration,role model and such a wonderful friend. She always had time – not she always TOOK time – no matter how busy she was to care for people, no matter who they were of what their background. She didn’t judge and really cared. All the items on the list at the visitation the she believed in were so true. She really lived them. I could go on and on but I won’t. I just want to thank you, her family, for sharing her with all of us. None of us will ever know how many lives she touched just by being Judy. God bless you all through this very hard time.
I had the privilege of working with Judy at HACAP as we integrated transitional housing, family support and Head Start programs. She was a bright, capable woman who stood up for her beliefs, while showing a tender side. I also observed her strength and fortitude in the last couple years as she struggled to come back from a debilitating illness. I pray your memories of Judy comfort you while you hear the stories of the many other lives she touched. I feel blessed to have known her.
We appreciated the times that Judy & Ray came to the theatre – especially when Mary was either acting or directing. She was definitely Mary’s biggest fan! We’ll miss seeing her, but feel lucky to have been in her good company from time to time.
I’m sorry that I was not able to be there this afternoon and evening to pay my respects to Judy. While I only had the pleasure of meeting Judy a couple of times a year when she would come and visit for Cece’s plays, it was always a delight to have her energy in the audience. What I admired most was that as sick as she was in the last months, she made a point of being there to see Cece in Yellow Boat–no simple task, I imagine. I sat across from her and every once in a while would steal a look at her, seated alongside her two daughters: Mary and Teresa–such fine women. Her last visit was a tribute to the love she brought to the planet, her strength, her determination to be present. Rest peaceful Mary. That presence of yours made a difference. Thank you. daughters itting and watching Cece,