ELLEN F. SULLIVAN

FARMINGTON – Ellen Freeman Constantine Sullivan, 89, died peacefully at The Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington surrounded by her family, Dec. 2, 2003. She was born in Bangor, Jan. 8, 1914, the daughter of Ellen Freeman and Murray Francis Constantine. She married George E. Sullivan on Sept. 30, 1932. She is survived by her nine children, Ellen Elizabeth “Betty” Elholm and husband, John, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., William E. Sullivan and wife, Margaret, of Grantham, NH, Lawrence W. Sullivan and wife, Jeanne, of Boothbay and Swampscott, Mass., George Sullivan and wife, Claudia, of Yarmouth, Richard P. Sullivan and wife, Pamela, of Lyman, Ann S. Fernald and husband, Richard, of Farmington, Barbara Sullivan and partner, Doug Malloy, of South Solon, Jane S. Gorra and husband, David, of Manlius, N.Y., and Mark E. Sullivan of Austin, Texas; her sister, Joan Phillips of Bridgewater, Mass., 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years in 1991, her brother, William E. Constantine and her sister, June E. Hogan. Ellen grew up in Everett, Mass. She graduated from Everett High School in 1931. She worked during high school and for a time after for an interior design firm in Boston. She enjoyed this work and talked of her experience there often. After her children were grown she designed two bank interiors for The Federal Trust in Waterville. When her husband finished medical school at Boston University they moved to Oxford, ME where he began his first practice, then they moved to Bingham where he practiced and they raised their family. The Sullivans moved to Fairfield in 1953. Ellen was an invaluable parent, and partner to George and to all of his patients who she often fed and housed. She also extended her great hospitality to many of her children’s friends and spouses. While living in the Waterville area Ellen was an active member of The Women’s Hospital Auxiliary and chaired many Charity Balls for The Sisters Hospital (later Seton). She was a member of The Waterville Crewel Group, The Birthday Girls, and VC 90 Squadron (George’s World War II Squadron; a group she corresponded with for over 50 years). She enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, oil painting, and designing and renovating houses. In later years her real passion became quilting, a craft she did meticulously and well up until the time of her death. After moving to Farmington she volunteered for SAD 9 helping teachers with components for art projects and also knitting mittens for teachers to give to school children. Ellen was someone who freely gave to others on an everyday basis, especially to her family. She made people feel good with her generous spirit and her open heart and home. She had the quality of finding the good in others and encouraging them to follow their pursuits. Her kind and energetic nature made her a good friend to everyone and throughout her rich life she succeeded in bringing people together. A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. Dec. 6, 2003 at St. Joseph’s Church (Quebec and Middle Street), Farmington, ME. In lieu of flowers, her family would greatly appreciate donations to the Pine Tree Society, P.O. Box 518, Bath, ME. 04530 or Share and Care, P.O. Box 206, Farmington, ME 04938.