Dolores,  I just realized  this and I am terribly sorry.  Thank you so very much for going to my moms services 

Fondly 

Melinda

I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter jennifer.  Please know that my sincere condolences go to her family

My sincerest sympathy for the loss of your daughter jennifer.  Please know that i send my sincere condolences to her family.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter jennifer.  Please know that i send my sincere condolences to her family.

I am sorry for your loss and Jenny was a good friend of mine at the Gateway programs.  I will miss her.  Kacki Carney

Eulogy from Jennifer's younger brother, Michael:

Good Things come in small packages. That was certainly the case when Jennifer was born. When my Mom and Dad found out she had Down Syndrome, it did not matter in the least. They loved her unconditionally. Though they knew their lives where changed forever, it was not apparent at the time the far-reaching implications of the word unconditional.
Jennifer was born with a hole in her heart and several doctors declared she would not live past the age of 2, much less the operating table. With nothing more than sheer determination they set out to find a way to save their only daughter, and through their unconditional love, they succeeded.
Finally, Jennifer was given the chance to live her life, which she took full advantage of.
From competing in the Special Olympics, to graduating from high-school, learning to play the piano and competing in swim meets, her life was not ordinary by any means, but in fact extraordinary.
 
Of course growing up in a house with 3 boys, Jennifer had her fair share of mischief as well. Being the last of 4 children, I immediately recruited her as my partner in crime. Between the two of us, our parents didn't stand a chance. We flooded the kitchen just to see if our toys would float, played Ambulance by calling the operator at 6 in the morning, pretended to be Astronauts taking off while inside the dryer. It would seem that Jennifer developed another valuable lesson along her way, common sense.
 
At the age of 41, Jennifer moved on to the next chapter in her spiritual being. Though not every moment was happy, there were plenty of joyous occasions that most people could only dream of.
I will always cherish Jennifer and the role she played in our family. Through all the ups and downs, she always held true to what was most important in our family, unconditional love, and sheer determination. We will all miss Jennifer, but I take comfort in knowing that she will always be in our hearts and in our thoughts and prayers, and that nothing but our sorrow can truly pass away.

Eulogy from Jennifer's older brother, Patrick Sullivan:

For most people, Wednesday April 17, 1974 was a day like any other.
People got up and went about their daily business, fulfilling their duties of yet another uneventful hump day.

However, it was on this day that our lives would be changed forever.
An Angel was brought into our family.
Our parents decided to name this angel Jennifer

She was small in stature, but large in character.

Ever the joker, Jennifer had the ability to bring a smile to the face of anyone she encountered.
Her wit never ceased to surprise us.

Her persistence and determination went unmatched.
When she decided that she was going to do something, she DID IT.
Overcoming every obstacle presented to her, numerous and seemingly insurmountable as they were.

Jennifer was filled with compassion and affection.
She had a gift that allowed her to effortlessly remove emotional pain and distress.

As anyone that ever met her can attest, her most notable trait was her capacity for love.
I can say with certainty that those of you here that had the fortune of meeting her received a warm hug accompanied by an extraordinary smile.
She saw only the good in everyone, quite often, a quality unseen by others.
In my 45 years, I have never met anyone that was capable of such unconditional love.

I have heard numerous times how lucky Jennifer was to have such a loving family, particularly our parents who made tremendous efforts to give her the best life that she could possibly have.

While I do agree with that sentiment, I firmly believe that WE are the ones that are fortunate to be blessed with the years she shared with us.
We are a reflection of her.
We didn't become who we are FOR her.
We became who we are BECAUSE of her.

Eulogy from Jennifer's eldest brother, Jimmy Sullivan
 
One of my favorite memories of Jennifer (of which there are many) is when she was a toddler.  I would come home from school each day and she would run up to me with a big smile and her arms thrown open to give me a big hug and shout "Jimmy!" She had a special way with making us feel loved and appreciated.
     I want to express to my parents, Jim and Dolores (Ma and Dad) my heart felt gratitude at choosing rightly to keep Jennifer with us rather than have her put away as was suggested by some  doctors when she was born. You gave us a treasure beyond compare and you gave her a rich life filled with joy and meaningful experiences. Jennifer got to travel extensively. She enjoyed horseback riding, gymnastics, ballet, modeling, cheer-leading, singing and performing. She was always active and doing fun things. She also contributed to her community with her fundraising efforts for Special Olympics with the Oak Brook Police Department and her volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Hospital.  Most of all she knew that she was loved and she loved us.
     In her own way, Jennifer was a matriarch of our family. She defined each of us in unique ways as she taught us about love. One of the many  important lessons Jennifer taught us was not to merely tolerate people who are different from us but to cherish them. The children of God come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and many will act and do things differently than we might... but we respect and love them all the same. We become closer to God for doing so because God loves all of his children with infinite care and understanding. This is especially true in Jennifer's case.
      I know that Jennifer is now in a far better place than this earthly crucible. She is with her Grandparents and all the family that love her that have gone before.  She is free from her disability. She is free from being an eternal child. She is normal (if there is such a thing). She abides now with God in everlasting peace and infinite contentment. She is now the Saint that God always intended her to be.
     What of us that remain? What do we do now? I believe we ought to offer prayers of thanksgiving for having been blessed by Jennifer's presence. We ought to ask for her intercessory prayer for us now that she is so close to God. Perhaps we may even ask her for her spiritual guidance as we turn now towards the task of taking care of each other until we are all together again. Our work continues here. Her work as a Saint is just beginning.

Mom and Dad,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute.
It is a wonderful way to see the stages of Jennifers path and the impact she made to everyone around her.
I have always and will always treasure my sister and our memories. During each occasion we where together Jennifer gave me a special moment I kept within my heart. I love you Jennifer~and I love all of you. I pray for strength for my family during this most devastated and trying time. I will continue to pray and to try to do my best for all of you from Oregon.

Jennifer will always be in our hearts.  She has always been such an inspirational woman.  I am blessed to be her niece.  Love and miss you always Aunt Jennifer!  I wish we could be there with all of you.  Sending our love from Oregon.

Mr. & Mrs. Sullivan,
I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Jennifer was such a joy to work with. She put a smile on my face so many different times in the two and a half years that I have known her. I am so sorry for your loss. I know this is a difficult time. Please know that she will be missed at Helping Hand Center.
Regards,
Robyn DeFalco, Case Manager HHC

Jennifer was on the Ray Graham bus with my daughter.  I was sorry to hear this sad news.  
Alice, Tom and Michelle Marks

Jim and Dolores words cannot express how sad I feel and how much sympathy I share with you.  Please know my prayers and heart are with you at this difficult time.  Jennifer will always be remembered as a special gift of God.

To Delores and Jim,
I am so sorry for the loss of Jennifer. She looks as beautiful as she did when I met her 15 years ago. What I wonder life she had, that you and Jim and provided for her. I know this is hard, and we are not suppose to bury our children, nobody knows the why's?? Just hold onto the memories,celebrate the wonderful life she lived. She is an Angel now in Heaven, enfolded in God's loving arms and feasting at our Lord's table. She walks with you everyday, and will always live in your hearts until you meet again. You all are in my prayers.. Sincerely Theresa M. Siegert MSWLSW Loyola University Medical Center

Very sorry for you loss.  Our prays are with you and your whole family at this time.

Dolores and Jim,
We have fond memories of Jennifer at many Gateway/Ray Graham events.  She was an excellent cheerleader for the basketball team, they made our games more exciting.  Her sweet smile will be missed.  You know she sings with the angels now.

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Jenny was such a sweet person, so full of life, and always willing to help out and participate in activities. I am praying that the Lord continues to strengthen you  and your family. 

God bless you, 
Erica Wright, Ray Graham Association

Mike,

So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Regards,
Mike Paradiso

Uncle Jim, Aunt Dolores, Jim, Patrick, and Michael, we want to pass along our heartfelt condolences after hearing of Jennifer's passing. We will keep Jennifer and your family in our prayers. Jennifer is a special lady and always brought smiles and laughter each time we saw her. We truly believe everyone who had interaction with Jennifer had their lives brightened.

Aunt Dolores, Uncle Jim, Jimmy, Patrick, Michael, I was saddened to learn of Jennifer's passing.  Her life was so rich because of all of you as your lives were rich because of her.  Thinking of you!  Much love to you all!

OBITUARIO

Jennifer A Sullivan

17 abril, 1974 – 3 mayo, 2015

Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery

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